2019 AWARD WINNERS

WINNERS BY CATEGORY:

ANIMATION – ICONS
COLLEGE – AMERICAN LETTERS
COMEDY – FINDING HAPPY
DOCUMENTARY – ONGTUPQA

DRAMA – SUNDOWN
FOREIGN – SWEPT AWAY
HIGH SCHOOL – THE EXISTENTIAL CRISIS OF MAXWELL ANDERSON
HORROR/THRILLER – THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT
MIDDLE SCHOOL – SMELL THE ROSES
MILITARY VETERAN – MOUNT LIPTAK
MUSIC VIDEO – STRAWBERRY AFTERNOONS
NATIVE AMERICAN – RUNNING SHADOW
SCI-FI – 17 MINUTES
SCREENPLAY – MIA
BEST OF THE FEST – SUNDOWN
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE – TIN CAN
AUDIENCE CHOICE – TIN CAN 

2019 FESTIVAL REVIEW

COPA SHORTS FILM FEST 2019 brought some amazing films to an avid, interested audience.

On Saturday, February 23, a series of three workshops (free) gave new filmmakers insights into skills and concepts to enhance their filmmaking. All Saturday workshops were presented at Maricopa High School’s Black Box Theater. Maricopa DECA and National Honor Society members volunteered and helped run the events all weekend! Facility Manager Kevin Piquette
was instrumental in smoothing out technology and arrangements on a very challenging weather-plagued day. (Hail and freezing conditions in Maricopa, Arizona!!)

We thank our professional filmmakers who provided this exciting content!

MONEY: FINDING FILM FUNDING
Ben Juhl, Dirt Capsule Films, served as moderator for a panel including:
Jason Ryan
Melissa Oldham
Kevin R Phipps

Approaches to finding necessary funding were offered including ways to present to funders.

Those attending were riveted!

MAKE UP SFX
Makeup artist extraordinaire Aeni Domme discussed considerations for makeup and what it is like dealing with actors. Then, she used student filmmaker Kaden Rogers as her model to demonstrate techniques. Domme showed: creating a neutral face without blushing, then in succession, a tired face; a haggard, ill face; and a series of bruises, cuts, and scars.

ENHANCING DIRECTOR AND ACTOR RELATIONS

Experienced director and actor Kevin R Phipps took the audience through ways to make on set relationships work smoothly.

In the afternoon, student films were presented at Maricopa High School Performing Arts Center.

Attendees were amazed at the quality and energy of the student films!

Awards for student filmmakers were announced, along with some special awards.

Middle School category winner, Smell the Roses, and High School category winner, The Existential Crisis of Maxwell Anderson, received awards.

The special winners were:
Special Achievement Award: Kaden Rogers who started a film club at Maricopa High School as well as steering the film club to creating a PSA that won a national award with funds for the school.

2019 Filmmaker Educator Award: Joseph Szoltysik, who inspired local Maricopa filmmakers to create their films, and has served as an advocate for filmmaking locally for 3 years.

On Sunday, February 24, CSFF moved to the Maricopa City Hall, where volunteers and City Council Members Vincent Manfredi and Nancy Smith opened the facility and provided support. Special thanks to City Manager Rick Horst and City staff members Mike Riggs and Adam Wolfe for making all the details fall in place.

A full lineup of film categories mixed films from all over the world explored the human condition and provided laughter, tears, and thought-provoking ideas. Attendees were excited about the quality of the films.

A special table read of the winning screenplay, “Mia,” was performed by Maricopa High School student actors, Christina Surber, Kaden Rogers, and Derek Blakely. “Swept Away,” the film created from the screenplay and filmed in Paris, France had its US debut.

Mayor Christian Price served as emcee for the lively awards ceremony. Local film reviewers Paul Bick, Melodee Breazeale, Laurie Fagen, and Michelle Sorensen were recognized for their contribution to the festival for many hours of dedication. The announcement of Director’s Choice winner, Tin Can, was followed by a short video acknowledgment by California filmmaker Pat Battistini, who was unable to attend. Mayor Price later announced the Audience Choice, Tin Can, with great fanfare.

The final party, catered by Catering by Helen, brought filmmakers, Arizona filmmaking officials, and attendees together to make connections.