Winner “Best Documentary USA”
Baby Boomerang Wins “Best Documentary USA”
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Well, it happened again. Baby Boomerang won an award. “Best Documentary USA” for the Christian Film Festival. The Welsh really know how to put on a show. Local Celebrates, three Mayors, and a minister of parliament were among the guests in attendance.
Baby Boomerang was one of five documentaries nominated for “Best Documentary USA.” The others included “Shotgun Jesus” directed by Kent Wall; “Traces Of The Trade: A Story from the Deep North” directed by Katrina Browne; “Roots and Wings” directed by Angad Singh; and “Veteran Affair” directed by Herb Sennett.
“I figured I had a 20 percent chance of winning,” Mark recalls. “I was actually caught off guard and I got up and babbled on. I wish I had prepared something to say. When it was over I thought of some great things to say, but I couldn’t get everyone back into the building to listen.”
Mark should have gotten a clue that he would win when he and Camille were seated at table number one, with the festival president and British TV star Lionel Fanthorpe, Famous welch actor Boyd Clark and his wife Kirsten Jones, also a famous welsh actor and writer, and the minister of education (all of whom presented awards at the festival).
Mark Arnett receiving the award for “Best Documentary USA” at the International Film Festival in Barry, Wales, United Kingdom.
After watching Baby Boomerang, lighting designer Peter Gibbons said, “Superb, the effect of time worked very well. Very griping.” And Stephen Leeks summed up Baby Boomerang this way, “A very personal and touching film: kept my interest all the way through.”
Actor Andrew Leeks (left) said, “I was never bored and I wanted to know more.”
Dani Tempest (center), producer at Image Productions said, “Baby Boomerang captivated my emotions.”
Martin Tempest (Right) Director of the Film Treasure Camp which won best feature film and best in festival couldn't stop talking about Baby Boomerang, “Very touching. It almost made me cry. It’s the best film about the war I’ve ever seen. Very personal. That’s what made it so interesting.”
“I laughed and laughed. I thought it was funny. It was told well and had a good story arch,” raved Barbara Sundstrom director of “On the Edge,” winner of “Short Film USA.”
Some Reviews of Baby Boomerang by other filmmakers
Mark and Camille reunited with their good friends Judith and Kelvin Guy. You might remember that Mark and Camille met Judith and Kelvin Guy in Los Angeles at the British Film Festival (click here for pictures of Mark with Kelvin and Judith at the British film Festival).
Judith and Kelvin toured Mark and Camille around their home town of Llanelli, Wales. Kelvin also won an award for his film “In Search of Gareth Hughes.” A film that Mark described in the British Film Festival report (click here).
Note: It might seem like everyone won an award at the ceremony, but there were many nominated that didn't get an award. However, they didn't stick around for pictures afterwards.
Together Again
Judith and Kelvin even took us to a pub for their daughter Claudea’s 12th birthday. Having friends is the only way to really visit another country. They have a wonderful family. The Guy family made the trip better than we could have ever imagined.
From left to right: Steffan, Mark, Camille, Ffion, Cerys, Claudia, Sylvia, Marilyn, Malcolm, John, and Judith. Not pictured: Alad and baby Ava (who were not sitting close enough to the group), and Kelvin (who took the photo).
at the International Christian Film Festival in Wales UK
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