Catalina Film Festival Wraps 8th Annual Fest with Awards in 14 Film Categories

The 8th annual Catalina Film Festival (CFF) wrapped with awards issued in 14 film categories - selected from 100 films in competition from 67 countries - screened at venues throughout the famed Catalina Island as well as new sister-city-by-the-sea, Long Beach. The annual film festival also featured career tributes, as well as industry panels, workshops and Lion's Den pitch session as part of the festival's Film & New Media Summit.

CAREER TRIBUTE AWARDS INCLUDED:

• Stanley Kramer Social Artist Award: Academy Award-winning actor and civics activist, Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, The Goodbye Girl, Mr.Holland's Opus), for his work with The Dreyfuss Civics Initiative
• Mack Sennett "King of Comedy" Award: Actor and comedian, Kevin Hart (Night School, Ride Along)
• Humanitarian Award: Actors, filmmakers and activists, Rosie Perez (White Men Can't Jump; Untamed Heart) and Ramon Rodriguez (The Affair; The Wire), for their work with the film "Pa'lante," to help rebuild Puerto Rico
• Avalon Award: Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actress and Broadway star, Ashanti (Coach Carter; Resident Evil: Extinction)
• Catalina Spotlight Award: Feature film and television actor and comedian, Rob Riggle(Night School, The Hangover, Step Brothers - "The F*&%$#G Catalina Wine Mixer")

Also in attendance were Justine Bateman(Satisfaction, Family Ties) with her short film, Five Minutes; London Brown (HBO's Ballers, The Hustle);Rachel Hendrix (October Baby) with the feature film Virginia Minnesota; Kaitlyn Black (Hart of Dixie); Chris Mulkey (Whiplash) with the feature film, Make Love Great Again; Dana Sparks(Passions); Jim Meskimen (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) with his short film, Son to Son; and Rob Belushi with his short thriller, Dylan.

FESTIVAL AWARDS INCLUDED:

• Best of Fest - U.S Feature - Bullitt County
• Best of Fest - International Feature Film - Love Possibly
• Best of Fest - Documentary Film (Worldwide) - Love Always, Mom
• Best of Fest - Conservation Film - Shadow of a Drought: Southern California's Looming Water Crisis
• Best of Fest - Wes Craven Horror/Thriller - My First Time
• Festival Treasure Award - Sam Did It
• Best of Fest - Screenplay - The Hardest Hit
• Best of Fest - International Short Film - Secret Sweets
• Best of Fest - US Short Film - An Act of Terror
• Best of Fest - High School Student Film - Love Letter
• Best of Fest - Advanced Student Film (Worldwide) - Akeda (The Binding)
• Best of Fest - Animation Short Film (Worldwide) - Two Balloons
• 2018 CFF Judges Pick - Make Love Great Again

For a full list of awards, visit www.catalinafilm.org.