- [Narrator] This program was made possible by funding from Cannon USA, George's Camera, Heartland Films, SmallRig, KPBS and viewers like you.

Thank you.

(upbeat music) - You've done it all Dallas.

Hosted multiple award shows, had a series on KPBS.

You received praise from pretty much everyone in town.

So what are you doing still taking bit parts here in San Diego?

- One of life's great mysteries, sir.

- Sir, I like the sound of that.

Seriously though, what's the answer?

- I guess I'm where I belong.

- You know someday we won't need hosts like you, actors that eat, sleep, need payment.

- Sir, this is San Diego, I have never been paid.

- Of course not, I'm just saying that someday they'll create an AI robot to replace TV show hosts.

We won't even need to provide craft services, particularly those weird little fruit snacks that you people seem to love so much.

Face it Dallas, it's inevitable, you're headed for extinction.

- Maybe so, but not today.

(upbeat music) Hey, glad you could make it.

This is the ninth annual San Diego Film Awards.

I'm your host, Dallas McLaughlin.

Now tonight we're gonna take you on a behind the scenes look into the world of San Diego filmmaking.

We're also going to celebrate, recognize, and reward those artists in our community whose light shine brightest among us.

You'll also learn a lot about the organizations and resources out there who can benefit and help filmmakers, cast and crew in San Diego.

Now I know you've all seen movies and admired the finished product right there on the big screen, but tonight we're gonna peel back the curtain and you get to follow me and see what it takes to be talent in the San Diego independent filmmaking scene.

You'll see all the glory, all the glamour, and all the little people that you get to meet along the way.

- Hey buddy, this is a private event.

You gotta go.

- Oh, no, no, I'm supposed to be here, I'm hosting the event.

Dallas McLaughlin.

- Never heard of you.

- I promise I'm supposed to be here.

- We got another random guy here.

Send back up.

- No, no, no, it's gonna be a fun night.

It's gonna be great.

Let's go ahead and give out our first award.

It's for best stunt choreography, hiya.

- Hey buddy, I told you it's time to go.

- It's the beard every time.

- Filmmaking is a collaborative art form and no one can do it alone.

And many local community groups play a vital role in bringing our industry together and fostering education and collaboration.

One group, the San Diego Media Pros has been instrumental in creating a thriving network of media professionals in our city through their meetings and workshops to support and educate our local editors.

Well, there's a little group I run, the San Diego Premiere Pro User Group.

Our monthly meetings have helped local editors learn the ropes and troubleshoot problems while staying up to date with the ever-changing technology of film editing.

And for those of you who are looking for a little more action in your routine, a relatively new community group has emerged to help us roll with the punches, the Southern California Stunt Group who bring action to life in stunt and combat workshops and demos.

The nominees for best stunt choreography are: - [Announcer] Fernando J. Huerto and Julia Elizabeth for Venda Heist.

Daniel Lavid and Chris Soriano for Almighty Zeus.

- Here you go.

- Garrett Glassell for Snapped.

- Stop, Chris, stop.

- Shane Alexander for Caged and Wild.

(gun shots) Shane Alexander, Jason Truong and Daniel Ford Beavis for Kung Fu Ghost.

- And the winner is Daniel Lavid and Chris Soriano for Almighty Zeus.

- Oh wow, Best Stunts.

Thank you so much for appreciating what we've done in this film with all the action sequences and it was our first time to be able to choreograph some of these fights and it was a learning lesson.

I got punched in the ribs a couple of times, so those hits were all worth it because to win this award means a lot to all of us and we'll continue to improve and get better.

And we wanted to say thank you.

Thank you so much for allowing us to win this award here tonight.

- The late great filmmaker Stanley Kubrick once said, filmmaking was like trying to write War and Peace in a bumper car in an amusement park.

If filmmaking is like creating art on a carnival ride, the first exciting plunge is screenwriting.

Like the Giant Dipper rollercoaster, screenwriting is filled with thrills and scares.

Just when you feel like you've got a handle on it, a new twist or turn can throw your whole story off track.

Writers groups play a crucial role in our community.

Organizations like the San Diego Writers Festival, So Say We All and San Diego Writers Inc., foster the growing writing community in our city.

The San Diego Writers Festival has hosted internationally recognized authors like Lee Child and James Patterson, alongside local authors who are gaining national attention.

San Diego Writers Inc. alumni have gone on to publish award-winning novels.

And So Say We All has helped launch literary and filmmaking careers with its vamp storytelling showcase and veteran writers division.

Here's to our local writers who face the challenge of the blank page.

The nominees for best writing are: - [Announcer] Devin Scott for My Happy Place.

- As he called it, stopping at anything that he thought was gonna be interesting or fun.

- [Announcer] Kalyan Sura for Dos Bros Force.

- (foreign language) - [Announcer] Brent Bokovoy for Ronald's Little Factory.

- I hate when that happens.

- Perhaps the voltage was too low.

- You are not putting these things on me again.

- And the winner is Brent Bokovoy for Ronald's Little Factory.

- Thank you so much San Diego Film Awards for giving an award to this weird little film about Mormons, monsters and worms.

I wanna give a special thanks and shout out to my incredible cast and crew, including my producer James Somerville.

And also special thanks to my friend Ryan Williamson, who helped me come up with the concept for Ronald's Little Factory.

So thank you so much San Diego Film Awards and thank you so much for all that you do for the San Diego Film Committee.

Thank you.

- San Diego is known for its stunning beaches, perfect weather and the occasional man eating shark.

Just kidding, maybe.

In fact, San Diego has everything to offer that Hollywood does, minus the ulcer inducing traffic and slight bit of pretentiousness.

With its diverse landscapes and picturesque neighborhoods, San Diego has provided the backdrop for countless film worlds, all thanks to the power of production design.

Production designers turn locations such as the sandy shores of La Jolla Cove into a romantic setting, or the USS Midway Museum into the site of an epic battle between robots.

Now filmmakers can't just walk up and start filming in San Diego's many spectacular locations.

They'll first need to visit well, me, at the San Diego special events and filming office where we can guide them through the process of securing permits to film in San Diego's best locations.

Did you know that permits are free in the city of San Diego?

That's right, free.

A rare word in the film industry.

And the nominees for best production design are: - [Announcer] Lee Christman for A Gift For All Ages.

- You look like you've just seen a thief in the night.

- I saw them.

- Saw them?

- [Announcer] Lisa Bruhn for A chateau in the Loire.

Nicole Valencia for Touch.

Nathan Lampl for Fuego.

- I don't make you wait, why would I make her wait?

- No, you can't instead.

- Let me get two tequila shots please.

Shut up.

- And the winner is Lee Christman for A Gift of all Ages.

- I'd like to thank the San Diego Film Awards for this award and also like to thank Russ for his vision and for bringing me in on this little project.

Special thanks out there for Matt and Alicia who their talents made this film come together.

And then along with all the other cast and crew, I mean, it was wonderful working with them.

I thank all of y'all for making this little Christmas story come to life, and I know that it's gonna be a true Christmas classic.

Thank you again.

- All right, hotshot.

It's the ninth annual San Diego Film Awards.

It will be televised on KPBS, but there'll also be a live portion for the nominees to attend.

The red carpet will be swarming with actors and directors all vying for attention, we can't possibly interview them all.

How you gonna pull this one off?

- I say you need three skilled hosts, one to hand out awards and usher off the long talkers, another to handle the red carpet, and then a comedic genius to handle all the TV segments.

Lucky for you, I think I got the chops for it, but I'm not sure who I'd get to be my co-hosts.

- Here's the thing, we don't want you to host the show, we want you to teach the hosts.

- You can't really teach this.

- Listen Dallas, you have your fair share of hosting gigs in San Diego.

I wouldn't even be having this conversation if the Film Consortium didn't adore you.

They're practically begging for your help on this one.

- That's right, we're looking for the next generation of hosts.

That's why we've got eight of the best young talents San Diego lined up and I need you to narrow it down to three.

- Find the next best host in San Diego?

All right, I'll try.

Let's see what these actors can do.

- The spirit of San Diego Award nominees embody the essence of creativity and resilience that define our city, channeling their passion and vision into compelling stories that capture the essence of San Diego's unique identity.

They inspire us to dream big, pursue our passions with courage and conviction, and to showcase the beauty and diversity of our community to the world.

The nominees for The Spirit of San Diego are: - [Announcer] Fuego by Edwin Franco.

- I actually came by to sign up for your classes.

- Ah, the classes that you're actually gonna show up to this time.

- [Announcer] A Summer Night in San Diego by Carlos Ivan Escobosa.

- The water was too cold.

You know I don't like getting in the water.

- Dude, it's Summertime.

- [Announcer] Island of Lost Girls by Anne-Marie Schmidt.

- And the winner is, Fuego Short film by Edwin Franco.

- Thank you for the spirit of San Diego Award.

It means a lot because this film embodies San Diego to the fullest.

I could not have done this film without San Diego.

So this Spirit Award means a lot to me because I didn't do this by myself.

This was because of the my community, San Diego giving me their spirit like Goku.

I made a spirit bomb with it and hence here's Fuego.

Continue to pursue your passions and purpose.

Thank you.

- As an actor arriving on set, you feel like you're opening a doorway to wonder and excitement, but before an actor can dazzle you with their charming wit, a very talented makeup artist, hello, has to ensure that I am bright and shiny for your screens.

- Okay, I'm gonna get you ready now.

- Doesn't take much to make me look pretty.

- Please try not to move your mouth.

- Sorry.

So what's it like to be a makeup artist?

- It's a very rewarding experience.

I love working with people and I love being creative and is it really work when you're doing what you love?

And you are ready.

- Great.

- Wait.

- Oh.

- Now you're ready.

- Our next award honors the top makeup artist in San Diego and their stellar work, let's take a look.

- Like a magician who can make the impossible seem real, good hair and makeup artists know how to make their magic with a smile and a wave of their wand or brush.

Hair and makeup artists play a crucial role in creating the visual aesthetics of a film.

With their ability to change the look of an actor, a skilled makeup artist is a character designer delivering whatever the production calls for.

Local schools like Bellus Academy, the Paul Mitchell Hair and Beauty School and San Diego City College's Cosmetology Program, train aspiring cosmetologists in all things beauty and gore.

The nominees for best hair and makeup are: - [Announcer] Emma Croft for A Gift For All Ages.

- But did we witness him getting hit?

The confident man could have taken us at the advantage creating a- - [Announcer] Randolph Trajano and Vanessa Peterson for Almighty Zeus.

- You don't have to keep fighting if you don't want to.

- I want to Mom, I have to.

- [Announcer] Francia Cohen for Kung Fu Ghost.

- She understood the responsibility.

She was the strongest person.

- And the winner is Francia Cohen for Kung Fu Ghost.

- As the home of the largest comic book convention in the world, San Diego is a hub for science fiction, fantasy and adventure.

You can't find a better location to celebrate our out of this world entertainment.

ComicCon is a showcase of many art forms, from film to animation to amateur and professional costume design.

And since 2021, ComicCon Museum has offered visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the world of comic books and animation and even try their hand at creating their own cartoons.

It's a great place to explore and appreciate the artistry that goes into creating some of our favorite films and television shows, and maybe even find some inspiration for your next Comic-Con costume.

The nominees for best costume design are: - [Announcer] Terry Ross for A Chateau in the Loire.

(classical music) - [Announcer] L. Louise Jee for A Gift For All Ages.

Michelle Murillo, Karina Saa and Carlos Ramirez for Fuego.

- I don't know why I didn't try that salsa dancing sooner.

- And the winner is L. Louise Jee for A Gift For All Ages.

- Thank you for the costuming award for A Gift For All Ages.

- You know, I don't think I like this app very much.

It's very glitchy.

Wait a minute, did you say 10 paces?

(gun shot) - The power of a strong performance can take control of our emotions.

Actors can make us laugh at the absurdity of life or bring us to tears with performance that perfectly captures the human experience.

But achieving this command over an audience is no easy task.

Thankfully, San Diego has a variety of professional acting schools and private instructors to help cultivate the next generation of great performers.

At the high school level, acting students can audition for acceptance into a specialized arts education at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts.

They provide pre-professional training in the arts alongside a college prep curriculum for young actors.

The school has graduated several Tony Award nominees and winners.

Post-secondary education acting programs include the San Diego State University School of Theater, Television and Film known as TTF for short.

The programs offer bachelor's and master's degrees in film and television acting, and their curriculum include acting techniques, voice and movement training and opportunities for students to collaborate with their peers.

Just a handful of our local acting instructors include Billy Cowart's, WCI Studios, Terry Ross's Acting Professionally, and Andrew Benets, Los Angeles Actors Studio San Diego.

Together they have decades of experience training local actors on anything from cold reading to scene study, and they offer a variety of acting methods.

Acting is an art, not a science, but it all comes down to one thing, landing the role.

The nominees for best ensemble cast are: - [Announcer] Dying To Learn by Rose Now.

- Hey, hey, hey, hey, move, move, hey stop it.

What the hell is your problem?

This punk- - [Announcer] Island of Lost Girls by the Schmidt family.

- I love you.

- I love you.

- [Announcer] Everybody Dies By The End, by Children of Celluloid.

- All right guys, are you ready?

Cornelius, you guys ready?

Here we go.

Grant, you're ready?

- And the winner is Everybody Dies By The End, by Children of Celluloid.

- Thanks so much.

Everybody involved the whole ensemble of The Children of Celluloid.

Vinny Curran as Alfred Costella.

Brenda Cahalan is Grant.

Ileana Apostolova as Allison.

Seaton Edgerton as Theo.

Everybody.

I wish they could all be here crammed into one image to say thank you, but sadly we're all in different places in the world right now, so it's just me.

Thanks.

- Hey, looking good.

- I am good.

Too good to be true.

- Another hosting gig, huh?

- How many actors are in this thing?

- You can all go home.

I can host the film awards in my sleep.

- You think the money will be good?

- Of course not.

It's KPBS, but at least they have these.

- Attention hosts.

- Morning.

Welcome to Top Host.

Have a seat.

You're here because you're the best of the best that we could get on such short notice.

We're looking for those of you who can command an audience's attention.

Success now more than ever depends on the man or woman on camera.

Half of you will make the cut.

The other half will be put on an email list for future events.

For this gig, you'll need charisma, comedic timing, and the ability to interact with film people.

All skills your instructor has real world experience with.

Some might even say he's a maverick.

I give you TV personality and ex Seaworld employee, Dallas McLaughlin.

- Stanislavsky, Meisner, Checkoff, Uta Hagan.

I expect all of you in this room know these acting techniques inside and out.

- Damn straight.

- You got it.

- So does every two bit actor off the street.

What your competition doesn't know are your limits.

I intend to find them, test them, push them beyond.

Today you're gonna show me what you're made of.

- The Sue Vicory Women in Film Award is something near and dear to my heart.

Working in the film industry over the past 21 years, I have diligently lifted up and supported women filmmakers by moderating all female panels, directing all female casting crew film productions, as well as mentoring female interns.

This year's winner is a casting director and the owner of Candace Casting, having cast over 300 commercials and 400 episodes of TV, along with feature films, print and industrials.

Notable TV credits are Pitch, Terriers and several telenovelas for Fox's My Network.

She does principal casting for union and non-union projects, and as a private acting audition coach to talent of all ages.

- The winner of the Sue Vicory Woman in Film Award is D. Candis Paule.

- Thank you Sue Vicory in the San Diego Film Consortium.

This is truly an honor.

Thank you to my family for always reminding me what is most important in life.

I am nothing without you.

Thank you Stu Siegel, Darren Scott, and all of the agents for your hard work, support and friendship.

Male executive, I bring in women.

Straight couples, I bring in same sex.

Caucasian specific, I bring in talent of all backgrounds because women are just as good as men.

Love is love, quality talent is every color of the rainbow, and we can celebrate all actors.

I'm proud and humbled to be a small part of that journey.

Thank you.

- When you're on set, the camaraderie you feel with your fellow cast members is electric.

Hey, they're probably just studying lines.

- Hey, I got a new Instagram follower.

- It's probably a line on his next project.

- Hey.

- Hey, fellow actor.

You ready to create some magic together?

- Do you have a phone charger?

- I do.

Being a good host means you have to come prepared.

What about you actor, how do you prepare for the camera?

- Well, I usually like to be familiar with the script.

I ask the director what they want, make sure I know my mark and rehearse and rehearse and rehearse.

If that doesn't work, I just improvise.

- Dallas.

- Oh, ready for my closeup?

- No.

Quiet on the set.

- I'll just sit down.

When you're an actor on set you have a lot of downtime, but by the end of the shoot you're basically like family.

Our next award honors the best supporting actor in San Diego, let's take a look.

- I promise it's not gonna happen again, okay?

You can record everything.

I'm not gonna get in your way anymore and you know, just trying to protect Al that's all.

- The Supporting Actor Award is like the trusty sidekick of award categories.

Recognizing the unsung heroes who make the main character shine brighter than a Kardashians highlighter.

The nominees for best supporting actor are: - [Announcer] Marc Reign for Fuego.

- Poppy had us bro and mommy.

- [Announcer] Christopher Yerikian for Snapped.

- I'm off the books.

I want to get to the bottom of this- - [Announcer] Brendan Cahalan for Everybody Dies By The End.

- I'm Alfred's personal assistant.

- Hey Grant, it's nice to meet you.

- Nah, nah, nah, we're huggers here.

I'm a hugger.

- And the winner is Brendan Cahalan for Everybody Dies By The End.

- Wow, this is amazing.

Firstly, I would like to thank the Film Consortium for this tremendous honor.

This is absolutely amazing.

Thank you so much.

I would like to thank my mom Eileen and my dad Ray, both who have supported me in my dream to become an actor every step of the way.

My amazing girlfriend Vanessa, who encourages me and builds me up, love all of you and Ian Tripp and Ryan Shaffer and the entire cast and crew of Everybody Dies By The End.

I love you so much.

Thank you for putting me in your story.

And I could not have done this without each and every one of you.

Thank you all so much.

- Step aside leading ladies, because it's time to give some love to a group of performers who often fly under the radar in the movie world.

These are the supporting actresses and they are true powerhouses of talent and emotion on the big screen.

Not only do they hold their own against the big names, but they remind us of the importance of supporting each other in pursuit of greatness.

The nominees for best supporting actress are: - [Announcer] Maria Olson for Ronald's Little Factory.

- To your brother's wife and perform the duties of a brother-in-law with her so that you may raise up offspring for your brother.

- [ Announcer] Jamie Nallas For Almighty Zeus.

- Brain damaged mom.

- What if you have internal bleeding?

Let me see.

Follow.

- [Announcer] Tori Keaton for Caged and Wild.

- She's not safe with us.

- And the winner is Maria Olson for Ronald's Little Factory.

- I'm not Maria Olson, surprise, but I am accepting this award for her tonight.

My name is Brent Bocovoy and I am the writer director of Ronald's Little Factory, the movie that Maria Olson appeared in and has won this award for.

I just want to give a huge shout out and thank you to Maria for being in this movie and being so amazing and a huge thank you to the San Diego Film Consortium.

Thank you.

- What is it about a dark theater that allows us to become so emotionally free?

Is it the way the sound echoes off the chamber walls?

Is it the beauty of a skilled cinematographer's work as it shines on a 70 foot wide silver screen?

Perhaps there is just something magical about being in a great theater.

From historic landmarks to modern cultural hubs, San Diego has no shortage of these magical venues.

In North County, Vintage theaters like the Brooks Theater and the Star Theater have been entertaining audiences since the early days of cinema and in the heart of our historic Balboa Park, The Museum of Photographic Arts is dedicated to the presentation, collection and preservation of photography, film, and video, and is home to many local film festivals.

And even more independent, we have the brand new home of the Digital Gym Cinema, which regularly programs local and international independent films that otherwise would not be screened in San Diego.

And finally, after decades as a fabric store, the historic Adams Avenue Theater has recently been renovated into a modern theater and a community event space.

We opened to the public just this year and have been screening fan favorites and indie gems ever since.

The nominees for best cinematography are: - [Announcer] Heather McGrath for Island of Lost Girls, Don Sano for Dream Cycle.

- I dreamt about before.

- [Announcer] Ray Gallardo for Touch.

Mark Arica for Fuego.

- Which one?

- The Desales Studios.

- Oh okay, so that is how you know my brother, my sister.

- [Announcer] Nate Riedel for Life Happens.

Anthony Coryell for Caged and Wild.

- And the winner is Heather McGrath for Island of Lost Girls.

- Thank you so much for this incredible award.

And that movie was one of the biggest adventures I have ever been on, and that family is one of the most wild, creative bunch of folks I've ever created with, and it was a very special, special adventure and I think they deserve all the attention in the world for putting such a wild, wild movie together for everyone.

Thank you so much.

- Time is your enemy on TV shows run long, shows run short.

This is San Diego people, schedules me nothing here.

You have to know how to roll with the punches.

- Welcome to the 2023 San Diego Film Awards, brought to you by, Hey, teleprompter froze.

- Is that what you do on live TV?

Boom, channel changed.

You're dead, next.

Faster.

Faster.

This isn't the Oscars all right, we got a tight schedule here.

We're dealing with actors and egos here.

You need to know how to schmooze.

- I'm here with San Diego filmmaker David Dawson.

So tell me David, what's your latest film?

- Is that all you got?

Dead air?

Boom, I just switched to Wheel of Fortune, you're dead.

Down.

- What does this have to do with hosting?

- Well, if you knew the answer to that, you'd be the one giving the orders, but you're not, I am.

Down.

Can someone get me a seltzer water?

All this yelling is making me thirsty.

- Editors are like the magicians of the movie industry.

They take a pile of raw footage and transform it into a captivating story that grips us from start to finish.

They're the ones who make us forget that we're actually watching a movie and instead transport us into another world, where time and space seem to bend and twist at their fingertips.

The nominees for best editing are: - [Announcer] Devin Scott for My Happy Place.

- Sometimes I call him Pastor Daddy that would make him laugh and we love to laugh in our family.

- [Announcer] Fernando Garcia for Touch.

Vishnu Perumal for Dos Bros Force.

- And the winner is Devin Scott from My Happy Place.

- You know editing is probably my favorite part of production.

Being able to see all the images come together and make a story.

It's really, really cool.

So to receive this award is truly an honor.

Of course have to thank my whole production team, Nicholas Patrick, the composer, Rob Amato, our cinematographer, Laura Bolen, the star of the film.

And of course, the producer, Jeannie Scott.

Took a real team to make this film and I couldn't have done it without you guys, so thank you, thank you, thank you.

- In the world of acting there are two camps, film actors and stage actors.

On stage you must project to reach the audiences all the way in the back of the room.

In film, the camera can be just a few inches from your eyes, picking up every glance, blink, and nuance.

San Diego's thriving theater scene has allowed many actors a space to hone their craft and develop their talent and plenty have crossed over to enrich our filmmaking community.

Theaters like the Old Globe and the La Jolla Playhouse have captivated audiences for decades.

The stage at the La Jolla Playhouse has given home to stars like Ginger Rogers and Dennis Hopper.

It was there that the great Groucho Marks made a return to stage after 22 years absence from theater.

The Old Globe has been home to national artists, designers, directors and playwrights.

And more than 20 productions produced at the Old Globe have gone on to play on Broadway and off-Broadway garnering 13 Tony Awards and numerous nominations.

The nominees for best actor are: - [Announcer] Joey Hayworth for A Gift For All Ages.

- Confidence.

- [Announcer] Vinny Curran for Everybody Dies By The End.

- A magician's not just gonna reveal his secrets.

Right?

- Is that what you consider yourself a magician.

- [Announcer] Connor Scott for Ronald's Little Factory.

- Hey mom.

Mom, what do you- - Really, really?

- [Announcer] Chris Soriano for Almighty Zeus.

- Man, at the end of the day I just wanna fight.

And when you're at home living with your mom and all you hear is that you're a loser.

- And the winner is Vinny Curran for Everybody Dies By The End.

- Oh my God, I am the winner of the Best Actor Award in San Diego.

I've acted a lot in many cities, but never won an award in any of 'em.

So I'm gonna submit that San Diego is the best place to win an award in.

The movie was Everybody Dies By The End, and that's true.

But before we die, we like to accomplish some things.

And today I accomplished a dream and that's winning a Best Actor award.

And I should thank and I will thank everybody involved in making the film, but I just wanna thank my mother.

Mother, thank you.

I love you and thank you for supporting me.

And look at that, we won an award now.

Thanks Bob, love you.

- Casting actors can be a fabulous challenge.

Some would describe it as searching for a needle in a haystack, except the haystack is filled with thousands of needles and you must inspect every single one until you find the rare special needle capable of weaving together a beautiful tapestry.

There are several local casting directors such as myself, who scout plays, acting showcases, and yes, film festivals.

We've cast thousands of local actors in principal roles on network TV, major motion pictures and national television commercials along with everything local, but it takes more than casting directors to find great talent.

San Diego's talent agents and managers recruit and represent local actors, models, and influencers.

And you can see the work every time you turn on your TV.

Commercials for our region's major companies are a who's who of San Diego talent.

Casinos, banks and restaurants, along with all types of utilities and attractions feature local talent.

This makes local actors the unofficial ambassadors of San Diego.

The nominees for best lead actress are: - [Announcer] Paisley Bird for Caged and Wild.

Eva Ceja for Touch.

- I'm fine.

- Are you sure?

You seem upset.

- [Announcer] Virginia Solomon for Tag-ulon.

- I just want to play Mahjong and listen to the rain.

- [Announcer] Anisha Ruth Arlagadda for Dose Bros Force.

- I wanna play for a whole hour with Vicky, you and Nana too.

- And the winner is Anisha Ruth Arlagadda for Dose Bros Force.

- Hello everyone.

I would like to thank San Diego Film Awards for giving me the award of the best leading actress, and I would like to thank my mom, dad and family for supporting me and a big thanks to Jyothi Kalyan for letting me in his movie.

And last but not least, I would like to thank my casting crew for helping me and supporting me.

Thank you.

- Ah, the Oasis of Culinary Delights, craft services, where delicious dreams come true.

Let me peruse the surplus of Costco snacks and judge each one.

Nope, no, no, no.

Gross.

Oh, oh.

Hey, I'm Dallas, the host of the show.

- Nice to meet you, I'm the DP.

- Hey, what's it like being a DP on an independent film?

- It's different every single day.

You get to work with the sound people, you get to work with the gaffers and you have this relationship with the director, it's pretty nice.

- Shouldn't you be working the camera right now?

- And miss the free food?

- A true artist must have a discernible palette and find inspiration from the most unexpected places.

Speaking of, it's time for our next to work, best visual effects and the nominees are: - [Announcer] Anne-Marie Schmidt and Brian Schmidt for Island of Lost Girls.

John C. Menvielle for Touch.

Matthew Harvey Nothelfer for A Gift For All Ages.

- And the winner is Anne-Marie Schmidt and Brian Schmidt for Island of Lost Girls.

- Hi, thank you guys for this great award.

It's amazing for visual effects what you can accomplish with paper mache and rocket fuel.

Thank you.

- Breaking into the film industry, it's a lot like trying to find a parking spot at Comic-Con.

You know it's out there somewhere, but the odds of actually finding it can seem impossible.

That's why it's so important to mention the programs here in San Diego dedicated to empowering the next generation of talent to find their place in this industry.

One such program, the Pacific Arts Movements Real Voices, guide students in creating a film from script to screen in just eight weeks.

Students choose topics ranging in everything from mental health to cultural identity, stories that are both personal and relevant to the broader San Diego community.

A similar initiative, the Media Arts Center San Diego's Team Producers Project, also provides low to no cost film education for young filmmakers from underrepresented communities and provides them with hands-on experience in narrative, documentary and multimedia storytelling.

Students from these two programs have showcased their work at local, national, and international screenings and leveraged their experiences and completed films to secure scholarships and admission into prestigious film schools such as UCLA, Cal Arts and others, talk about finding your place in the industry.

The nominees for best student film are: - [Announcer] The Thought That Counts, directed by Alyssa Kuhl and Zachary Cavor.

Ms. Reed directed by Moises Cardenas.

Discharged directed by Bridget Rose Taylor.

- It wasn't just one guy.

- What?

Please tell me.

- [Announcer] Maya directed by Sophie Harasha, Yezy Suh, Hannah Kuster and Austin Gil.

- It's not just about these pictures, you just won't get it.

- [Announcer] All The Worlds A Stage directed by Alyssa Kuhl.

- We built this from the ground up, not him.

- Well, it seems like he respects what we're doing and just wants to be a part of it.

- [Announcer] Broken Arrow, directed by Simon Homer.

- And the winner is Discharged, directed by Bridgette Rose Taylor.

- Thank you so much for the award of Best In and Filmmaker.

This isn't just an honor for me, but also for my director of photography Alex Lory, my producer Lori Keck, my production designer, Chelsea Allen, my editor, Brendan Julian, and any other member of my cast and crew discharged.

Being a student means taking risks and enjoying the process of growing, so thank you SDSU for nurturing a story about female sexuality and letting me tell the world how uncomfortable it is to have a vagina.

And of course, thank you San Diego Film Awards for giving me this opportunity and recognition.

I have so many stories that I wanna tell that are gonna be told from my perspective and I'm so excited to start my career and I'm even more proud to have it start in San Diego.

Thank you.

- The Best Sound design nominees are like the DJs of the movie industry.

They may not be seen, but they sure know how to get the party started with their sick beats, killer sound effects and epic music cues.

They're the ones making the explosions go boom, the gunshots go bang and the characters go what, I can't hear you.

The nominees for Best Sound Design are: - [Announcer] Andrew Vernon for Island of Lost Girls.

Jay Rothman for Caged and Wild.

(gun shots) Paolo Sbrighi for Tag-ulan.

- Wow.

A lot been playing.

- [Announcer] Joe Godfrey for Touch.

Juliam Brantley for Almighty Zeus.

- Let's slow down, slow down.

- And the winner is Joe Godfrey for Touch.

- I'd like to congratulate my fellow nominees for sound design.

Thanks to the judges and Jodi and everybody at the San Diego Film Consortium for hosting this event and promoting local films.

And of course a big thanks to Justin who wrote and directed this movie and the rest of the crew of Touch.

Thanks again.

- Without skipping a beat you need to work as a team to make sure the audience is tuned in or else.

- Or else what, sir?

- Or else I tune out.

If you're boring, you'll never make it on KPBS.

- This guy needs an ego check.

- This gig is impossible.

- Impossible?

- No one can do what you're asking.

- Hello, welcome to the San Diego Film Awards, brought to you by the Film Consortium San Diego.

Uh-oh, looks like our teleprompter's experiencing a little bit of stage fright.

That's all right, let's not judge it too harshly.

We all get nervous sometimes.

Let's take this moment to get to know our nominees.

So Mr. Director, tell us about your next film.

Well, I guess you take the whole silent movie thing a little too far, huh?

I guess if it worked for Charlie Chaplin.

Tell me, what was the biggest challenge of making your movie?

Well, I guess you like to let the work speak for itself.

How avant-garde.

- He's good.

- He's amazing.

- I cannot get enough of these fruit snacks.

- Well it's time to give out the first award of the night for Best Ensemble and the winner is the entire cast of Star Wars episode 11, a San Diego parody.

You get an award, you get an award, you get an award, you get an award, you get an award, you get an award.

Boom, that's how it's done.

Don't think, just host.

Oh, bless you myself, sir.

(applause) - All right Dallas, we're putting you on the show, your team leader, but who's gonna be your co-hosts?

- It's been an honor training with all of you.

Tina, Andrea, fruit snacks guy, you will host the show.

The rest of you, I think we should get together and pitch something to a local network.

I think they'd love us.

- I have an idea for a beer show.

- Me too.

- Hey Dallas, we just want to say thank you.

- Hey, you're gonna do great.

Just remember, don't think, just host.

Now let's go knock 'em dead.

- Movies are a combination of sight and sound.

Even during the silent era of film, there was always music to accompany the images on the screen.

Today, creating music for film and television is still a popular focus for many schools and institutions.

The San Diego Music Foundation is a great example of such an institution.

For over 30 years they have trained and developed local musicians helping more than 70,000 students in areas from Chula Vista to Fallbrook.

They also produced the San Diego Music Awards, a yearly local award show like this one that recognizes San Diego's top albums, musical acts and singers.

Many of the award winners have gone on to have careers in the film and television industry and produce film scores for local filmmakers.

UC San Diego and San Diego City Colleges are also institutions that offer programs to train talented sound engineers, music directors, composers and broadcasters for cinematic movies, dramatic TV and advertising.

The nominees for best musical composition are: - [Announcer] Joshua Ginsburg for Fuego.

Steven Douglas Bennett for A Gift For All Ages.

Yehezkel Raz for Dream Cycle.

- Excuse me, Ray?

I found this.

- And the winner is Joshua Ginsburg for Fuego short film.

- Hello, my name is Joshua Ginsburg, composer for the film Fuego and it is such an honor to have won the award for best score.

Thank you to my friend, director Edwin Franco for trusting me to score this film.

It was a true pleasure to work with you.

Thank you to my extremely supportive family and girlfriend, Francesca, for all of the love and support, I wouldn't have been able to do this without any of you.

And thank you to everyone at the San Diego Film Awards for this great honor, I truly appreciate it.

- The time has come to shine.

When an actor steps in front of the camera it's their moment to unleash their talent and captivate audiences far and wide.

- Ready for Dallas.

- Making an independent film is like orchestrating a symphony of creativity.

- Step to your left.

- Making an independent film is like orchestrating a symphony of creativity.

- Actually step to your right.

- Making an independent film is like- - Come forward.

- Making an independent film- - Cut.

- As hard as us actor's work, where would we be without our directors telling us what they need from us for the camera to capture our essence?

What else do they do?

Let's ask one.

- A director is often the only person on set who has the full vision of what the movie or the project is going to entail, so it's their job to communicate that with everybody on set.

- Fascinating.

So torturing actors is part of the job.

I think it's time for our next award.

- Cut.

This isn't working.

Let's do this in post.

That's wrap everybody.

Fantastic job today.

Give it up for (indiscernible).

(applause) - Tonight we're shining a spotlight on the rising stars of the film world with the First Time Filmmaker Award.

These nominees might be new to the game, but they've already got us feeling like proud parents watching their kid take their first steps, if those steps were taken on a red carpet of course.

The nominees for best first time filmmaker are: - [Announcer] Alyssa Kuhl and Zachary Caver for The Thought That Counts.

- Oh it's fine, I'll stay here and I'll try to write.

- [Announcer] Bridget Rose Taylor for Discharged.

- It's not surprising for someone in your demographic.

- No, I'm not, I don't- - [Announcer] Simon Homer for Broken Arrow.

- What do you want?

- Okay well, you guys have a lot of- - [Announcer] Leroy J. Barrett III for Dying To Learn.

(laughing) - And the winner is Leroy J. Barrett III for Dying To Learn.

- Many streaming services are cracking down on password sharing among their user base.

Times are changing and these digital film libraries are not as les a faire as they used to be.

But here's some good news.

Public libraries and museums are as open as ever.

Who needs streaming services when you can check out just about every movie ever made for free from San Diego libraries.

And when it comes to making films, libraries across the county provide an important resource for local documentary filmmakers.

For example, the Coronado Library has exhibits that showcase the island's film history from the early days of filmmaking, featuring dozens of films that use the Naval airbase as their backdrop.

And when it comes to locally produced content about San Diego, one Media company has made it their mission to deliver that content to a wide audience, KPBS.

In 2012 KPBS launched the Explore Local Content Project and since then we've collaborated with over 35 production teams and provided over one and a half million dollars in seed funding to the most promising proposals.

KPBS produces a variety of locally produced documentary style travel shows like Crossing South, Ken Kramer's About San Diego, plus Emmy Award-winning documentaries like San Diego's Gay Bar History and Expect a Miracle.

KPBS Explore is one of the only programs in San Diego to tap into the creativity of our hometown producers and bring their innovative concepts to life.

The nominees for best short documentary are: - [Announcer] The Reinventor directed by Jared Jacobson.

- Reinvent myself, but to date I have become too difficult to continue with that.

- The Other Peloton directed by Brian Jenkins.

- Sport is like this establishment, this institution that we have to protect and like hold to the highest standards.

- Echoes of Resilience directed by Alex Frey and Brady Ferdig.

- Knowing the joy that Whisper should have been experiencing, it breaks my heart.

- And the winner is Echoes of Resilience directed by Alex Frey and Brady Ferdig.

- Thank you.

It truly is an honor to receive this award.

- We'd like to thank National University for the opportunity to tell this story.

We'd also like to thank Whisper Tennis for her courage, wisdom and vulnerability.

- We can only hope that this film reduces the stigma associated with mental health and also encourages those who are struggling to reach out.

- The power of community and support has an immeasurable impact on the lives of others.

Thank you so much.

- Feature documentaries are like the world travelers of the movie industry.

They take us on a journey to the far corners of the earth.

They introduce us to fascinating people and cultures and reveal the untold stories that make us realize just how connected we all are.

They're the ones who make us want to grab our passports and hit the road, except we can experience the adventure from the comfort of our couch.

The nominees for best feature documentary are: - [Announcer] Undiagnosed directed by Dr. Katia Moritz and Nicholas Miller.

- Pretty confusing.

So you're an undiagnosed patient yourself?

- Yes, I am undiagnosed.

- Almost Home: Life After Incarceration directed by Bill Wisneski.

- To live in jail or prison than it is in the free world.

I didn't know I was gonna be kicked out like this quick.

- [Announcer] Healthy Hero directed by Mike Jeffs.

- Improving their overall health, whether it's physical or mental because what we do for a living is detrimental to our health.

- [Announcer] The Power of Stone directed by Barbara Fokos and David Fokos.

- Something beautiful and powerful that you'll love, so be brave and let Lou be Lou.

- And the winner is Undiagnosed, directed by Dr. Katia Moritz and Nicholas Miller.

- Thank you so much for this award.

On behalf of my team, Nick Miller, Crystal Sherman, Henata and Gilli, thank you.

This is to all the families, Jeff, Lilly, Jeremy and Alex, and all the millions of undiagnosed people that live every day searching for a diagnosis.

We need to save their information for the future of medicine.

Thanks again.

- I wanna talk about our very own San Diego Film Week.

Since it launched in 2017, Film Week has become a countywide celebration that showcases, celebrates and grows our local film industry.

Through film screenings, networking events and educational programs, Film Week has created a platform for emerging and professional filmmakers to exhibit their work, connect with industry professionals and foster collaboration with like-minded individuals.

Film Week also works to showcase all the theaters, educational programs, studios and community groups that make up our local industry.

Every director needs a team of people to make their vision come to life and Film Week is here to help directors assemble their dream team.

The teams are only as strong as their leaders, and so the nominees for Best Director are: - [Announcer] Jyothi Kalyan Sura for Dos Bros Force.

- Go away, we're not selling.

- [Announcer] Justin Burquist for Touch.

- Is this your first time or- - [Announcer] Ryan Kelly for Snapp.

- Ten paces.

What is this another gun?

What is it with you and guns?

- [Announcer] John Matthews for Tag-ulan.

- And the winner is John Matthews for Tag-ulan.

- Hey, you know, Best Director doesn't happen without a great cast.

And I just want to thank my amazing cast, Virginia, Millet, Wendy, Elaine, Nick, Michelle, everyone who made this film possible.

Your work is what makes this special up on the screen.

And thank you San Diego Film Consortium.

We're truly honored with this wonderful award.

- The My Power of One Award was created to honor an individual who has made a positive difference in their community.

Previous awards have gone to Jodi Silly, Robin Sarvis and Dwayne Trammell, Francine Phil Singer, Joe Castano and Michael Brunimeyer.

This year I am so proud to name the recipient of the My Power of One Award to an individual whom I have personally worked with and have a great deal of respect and admiration for.

He is a multi award-winning writer, director, and performer who over the last 10 years has managed to make a name for himself in the San Diego Arts community.

Most recently, he and I, along with a group of San Diego artists, co-created the parody film Panic at Park, which aired on KOCT and again on KPBS as part of the San Diego Film Awards, which would go on to earn three Emmy nominations.

As you can see, I'm incredibly proud of him.

- The winner of the My Power of One Award is Jordan Jacobo.

- I'd just like to start by saying how honored I am to be receiving this award.

And I'd like to express my gratitude to Sue Vicory, whose unwavering support and guidance over the last few years have been an absolute blessing to me.

As an artist, I've long struggled to have my voice heard, and once I was given an actual platform, I felt that it was only right to use that platform to feature groups, organizations and causes whose voice also deserved to be heard.

And through my work, I hope to continue doing so.

I've always felt that it's an artist job through patience and compassion.

I'm not done yet.

Anyway, I'd like to thank John Decker at KPBS, Jodi Silly with the Film Consortium of San Diego and Katie Heroff at the Old Globe for all the opportunities they've given me.

And of course I'd like to thank my wonderful manager, Camie Carpenter.

Most importantly, I'd like to thank my mother and my father for sticking with me through this uncertain journey.

I'd like to think that it's moments like these that let them know that I'm not totally wasting my life.

All right, you may now cue the playoff music.

- Making short films is the first stepping stone of any great filmmaker.

Think of it like dipping your toes into the filmmaking pool before diving into the deep end.

Short films are where you get to experiment with your creativity, meet fellow filmmakers and start building your empire, or at least your own network.

At San Diego City College, radio, television, video and film program, students can gain certificates or associates degrees in film or video production.

Through working with classmates and making short films, they build a portfolio and transfer to BA programs at UC and CSU Schools across California.

SDSU Television, Film and New Media Program offers bachelor's and master's degrees in various cinematic arts and has proven to be a jumping off point for jobs in Hollywood.

With the short film in the can, San Diego filmmakers are lucky to have dozens of local film festivals to screen their work, each shining a spotlight on different genres of film and communities of people.

The San Diego Asian Film Festival showcases the traditions and diverse cultures of Asia.

The San Diego Latino Film Festival celebrates stories from Mexican, Puerto Ricans, central and South American cultures.

The Arab Film Festival and the Jewish Film Festival both shine a spotlight on the art and heritage of communities that are often marginalized and underrepresented in mainstream cinema.

We also have the Trailblazing Film Out dedicated to showcasing LBGTQ+ films and the San Diego International Film Festival, which provides a platform for global cinema.

The nominees for best short film are: - [Announcer] Touch directed by Justin Berquist.

- Is that who I think it was?

- [Announcer] Dos Bros Force directed by Ka Surah.

- I like it.

- I wish dad was home already.

- Me too, honey.

- [Announcer] A Gift For All Ages directed by Russell Webb and Alicia Wszelaki.

- Easy, easy.

You were hit on the head.

- [Announcer] Dying To Learn directed by Leroy J. Barrett III.

- Billy, I'm here to help you.

You don't have to brave anything alone.

- [Announcer] My Happy Place directed by Devin Scott.

- It was my mother who was cheating on my dad with Deacon Hoffman from the church.

- [Announcer] Fuego directed by Edwin Franco.

- Come on, it's starting.

- Try something new for once.

I'll try something new once your tab is set.

- [Announcer] Snapp directed by Ryan Kelly.

- Oh God, I'm light headed.

- And the winner is Touch by Justin Burquist.

- Wow.

Thank you so much for this wonderful award.

I want to thank our cast and crew, writer director Justin Burquist who really gave us a lot to work with this material.

Eva, you did an amazing job portraying our lead and just everyone who came together to put this film together, I want to thank you and I want to thank the San Diego Film Awards for bestowing this honor upon us.

Thank you.

- Making a feature film is the dream of all filmmakers.

Completing a feature film can sometimes be their nightmare.

The good news is that independent feature films are already happening right here in our city.

This year's film awards had a record number of feature films submitted, and our award categories include far more feature film nominations than ever before.

This is one of the goals of the San Diego Film Awards, to encourage our city's filmmakers to make feature films.

We are here to let every filmmaker know, you are not alone.

We have an incredible network around us in San Diego.

Not only do we have the support of our local community, but all of the organizations and people we've mentioned here tonight are in your corner too.

And here's to the filmmaking crews who have achieved the ultimate goal in our industry.

The nominees for Best Feature Film are: - [Announcer] Island of Lost Girls, directed by Anne Marie Schmidt.

- No, no, don't throw the rocks.

(indiscernible) - Almighty Zeus directed by Chris Soriano.

- Anybody else in the gym?

Anybody?

I'll pay 2000.

Yeah!

- [Announcer] Caged and Wild directed by Anthony Miguel Corelle.

Ronald's Little Factory directed by Brent Voy.

- Mom, whatcha doing?

- [Announcer] Everybody Dies By The End directed by Ian Tripp and Ryan Schafer.

- What did you spray me with?

- And cut, that was amazing.

Cornelius.

- And the winner is Almighty Zeus, directed by Chris Soriano for Dynasty Boys.

- Thank you so much for this great privilege, this great blessing and this is our very first award.

And we made this toward the end of the pandemic where we didn't realize how, that we were doing something bigger than ourselves.

And so to win this award tonight, it makes all of us incredibly proud.

And so on behalf of the Almighty Zeus team, we just wanna say thank you so much again and we really, really appreciate it.

(singing) - Great show.

- Thanks Captain.

Couldn't have done it without you.

Say, who do you think is a better host, you or me?

- This is a nice moment, let's not ruin it.

And that's our show.

Thanks for joining us.

We hope you enjoyed tonight's ceremony and maybe even learned a little bit about what it takes to make movie magic.

Congratulations to all of tonight's nominees and winners, especially the winners.

You are all inspiring and motivating your community more than you'll ever know.

I'm Dallas McLaughlin and until next time, keep dreaming, keep creating, and keep embracing the glamorous chaos of showbys.

- Dude, are you still here?

- Man, that guy will do anything to get me off stage.

(upbeat music) - Support for this program comes from the KPBS Explorer Local Content Fund, supporting new ideas and programs for San Diego.