HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, DEC 6, 2017 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Hollywood Film Festival recognized it’s 2017 Prize Winning Films and Filmmakers during it’s “2017 Jury Class Honors” at the Paramount Theater in Hollywood on Saturday evening, December 2nd followed by two international Virtual Honors presentations Dec 6th.
The Ceremony in Hollywood was presided over by 2017 Honorary Chair Ed Asner, winner of 8 Prime Time Emmys, 3 Golden Globes and former President of the Screen Actors Guild of America with Jury Prizes presented by Festival CEO, Brad Parks.
GLOBAL GRAND JURY HONORS
BEST HOLLYWOOD FILM
Virginia Minnesota, Directed by Daniel Stine
This ambitious, beautifully shot, and exceptionally well-acted story is the first feature film of American Director Daniel Stine. Virginia Minnesota is told through the eyes of two young women who unexpectedly reunite after 15 years and embark on an illuminating 24-hour journey where they unlock memories of long-forgotten innocence. Played wonderfully against each other with exceptional craft and suspense by Aurora Perrineau and Rachel Hendrix, the characters revisit a tragedy that robbed them of their inspirational friend, Virginia, the 9-year-old orphan in the story who symbolizes the childhood innocence of unconditional faith. What is unique in this film is it explores ideas of friendship and faith not as a “message” to the audience but instead as an open “question” of trust and self discovery made more poignant through the experience of two young women facing the lingering shadows of abuse and tragedy with courage and understanding. For their outstanding performances, Aurora Perrineau and Rachel Hendrix were also granted Exceptional Emerging Artists honors.