Each year the Hollywood film festival “Gone with the Film Festival” receives thousands of submissions from filmmakers trying to get a spot on the program.  Just getting into a film festival is an achievement and an honor.  The “Official Selection” designation surrounded by laurel leafs is an award in-and-of itself.  But as Mark has learned, “Winning feels so much better than not winning.”

Baby Boomerang walked away with an engraved trophy for “Best Documentary” at the 2009 Gone With The Film Festival.  The festival was held in the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.  It’s an arts center on top of a small hill with a great view of the valley and the Hollywood sign (see Hollywood photo below). 

“Baby Boomerang has done much better than I expected,” Mark says as he tries to act humble.  “Not as good as I fantasized, but much better than I really expected.” 

Mark would like to thank all of the people who drove over from Arizona to this festival.  Among the group was Eexecutive Producer Wayne  Arnett and his wife Sue; Creative Consultant Brian Nissen and his wife Maria (who took many of the photos you see); and Musical Director Kip Huff, who not only brought his wife Debbie but their son Nik and nephew Zac as well.  Mark’s nephew Greg Ethington (the tall guy in the back) lives in the LA area, but gets special points because he and he and his wife drove out to the Phoenix Film Festival last April just to see Baby Boomerang. 

“Your support means so much to me,” Mark adds.  “Not as much as the trophy, but it still means a lot.”