Elizabeth Yoder Wins 'Best Actor' at 8th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival

Eileen Koch & Company INC. (EKC) welcomes filmmaker and philanthropist Elizabeth Yoder, who recently won "Best Actor" at the 8th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival for her captivating portrayal of Grace in the short drama The Long Wait, written and directed by multi-award winner Wolfgang Bodison. Sparking high emotion amongst the festival's audience, The Long Wait also won the Ribaut Award for "Best Short Film." Festival winners included notables such as two-time Academy Award Winning editor Arthur Schmidt (Forest Gump & Who Framed Roger Rabbit.)

Elizabeth created the film alongside Director Wolfgang Bodison, who helped encapsulate the personal tragedy that served as inspiration for the film's plot. Bodison was recognized with "Best Director" for the project at the Playhouse West Film Festival in September 2013.

The Long Wait mirrors Elizabeth's real-life emotional hardship of losing her father as a child to a drunk driver and explores themes of loss, grief, anger and redemption. It confronts the challenges of controlling emotional hardships and what can occur when they are left unresolved.

"As a girl, I was faced with the dilemma to settle my score with the drunk driver who killed my father," Elizabeth stated. "In my heart, I felt deep hatred and no desire to forgive him."

Elizabeth created Elevating Hope, a foundation that helps the bereaved transition through grief and suffering to find acceptance, forgiveness and healing. The documentary Mary's Story details real-life events from Yoder's journey and was produced in support of The Foundation.

"One of my sources of inspiration is Eminem, who has the courage to use his pain, suffering and struggles to create art," she says. "For years I wanted the bravery of Eminem's ability to openly share my deepest, darkest secrets and pain."

The Long Wait is en route to becoming a feature film and Elizabeth is currently writing a tell-all-book. To this day, she remains fascinated by those who push boundaries and live outside of what society considers "normal" or "acceptable."

Follow Elizabeth on Twitter and Instagram @ElizabethYoder_ and "Like" her on Facebook!