With artwork being taken down and footage rolling on to close out the night, artists and filmmakers alike were still abuzz with excitement after the inaugural Imperial Valley Film Festival and Artist Showcase.
The event, which included works in film, canvas and frames, showcased an art exhibit and an adjudicated film competition where 29 films competed for top prize.
“For a first effort we did a great job in showcasing the artists and the filmmakers,” said Charla Teeters, executive director of the Imperial Valley Film Commission.
“The people that came up to me just kept saying, ‘Thank you for doing this, thank you for starting this,’ It was all positive feedback,” she said.
“There’s definitely room for improvement but for not having anything like this in the Valley it came off really well,” Teeters said.
The public and artists alike agreed.
“I loved it, I hope they have more,” said El Centro resident and artist Monica Munguia. “I really enjoyed the films. They’re very professional, like something that would be in the theater,” she said.
“I liked it because there was a lot of variety in subject and style,” said San Diego resident Magdalena Cerda in Spanish.
“It shows there is room for new ideas and a mixing of cultures,” she said.
“(The artists and filmmakers are) all real young,” she added. “If we don’t let them demonstrate (their creative side) it dies,” she said.
And the winners seemed inspired by their newest accomplishments.
“This means a lot,” said Nanette Haro of Burning Fields Productions minutes after she and business partner Andrea Durazo accepted the top awards in film.
“We need this reassurance that we’re doing good stuff,” the Calexico-raised filmmaker said.
“From here we’re nonstop,” Haro said.
By the numbers
12 local artists
3 featured artists
27 filmmakers
29 short films
122 in attendance (approximate)
Film Fest winners
Jury award, best of festival — “El Reboso Magico” by Andrea Durazo
First place, audience favorite — “El Reboso Magico” by Andrea Durazo
Second place — “The Man from Jalisco” by Ryan Brandt
Third place — “Proxy” by Justin Burquist
Honorable mention — “La Llorona” by Eric Romero
Special award, best depiction of life in the Imperial Valley — “Time Goes On” by John Menvielle
Staff Writer Roman Flores can be reached at 760-337-3439 or rflores@ivpressonline.com
