A film that captures the funny side of fear won Best Film as well as Viewers’ Choice during the sixth annual Statesboro Film Festival, held Thursday night at the Averitt Center for the Arts.

Directed by Daryl Sullivan, “Stabby Stabby Stab Stab” is a humorous take on the classic chase by a masked killer with a knife. Viewers giggled throughout the short film as a pretty young girl ran from the tall masked murderer, running through alleys and streets easily recognized as downtown Statesboro.

A twist had the chase interrupted by a couple leaving a restaurant, and the victim joined her would-be killer for drinks before leaving, when he resumed the pursuit.

“Stabby Stabby Stab Stab” was also nominated for best editing, best cinematography and best director.

“The Packinghouse,” directed by Brian Graves, documented the murky history of a “haunted” local property.  The abandoned meat packing plant on Packinghouse Road is rumored to have been the site of numerous deaths when its owner set fire to it with workers trapped inside. The film takes a look at the myths and the lack of documentation supporting the ghost tales.

“The Packinghouse” was chosen for the Best Editing and Best Director awards. It was also nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Film.

The Best Cinematography award was given to a film directed by Kenneth Gamblin. “A Letter” told the tale of two star-crossed lovers through a heartfelt letter written by the male part of the couple. “A Letter” was also nominated for best editing, best film and best director.

Also nominated for Best Editing and Best Film was “Einstein’s Dream,” another film directed by Sullivan. The film is an adaption of the short story by the same name, written by Alan Lightman, and outlines the insanity caused by an obsessive love.

Alison Maloof and Cesar Vargas directed “Writer’s Block,” a film about a woman’s struggle to write a story. “Writer’s Block” was nominated for Best Cinematography.

Other films entered included ”Mail Call,” directed by Rebecca Lynch, about a man waiting impatiently for a package to arrive as he tosses junk mail daily into his trash can.

“Trivergence” was another adaptation of Lightman’s “Einstein’s Dream,” with a man overtaken by love trying to decide which path to take to his future. It was directed by Keenan Star.

“Paranormanimal Activity,” directed by Andrew Akins, took viewers on a “Blair Witch”-flavored trip down a dirt road, with the main character of the film being “stalked” by a stuffed lion that kept appearing in his path.

Those with a fear of clowns might have shivered a bit when “Coulrophobia: The Fear of Clowns” was shown. The documentary outlined reasons people fear clowns. It was directed by Lynch.

Shane Nelson directed another film that featured the old Statesboro packing house. “Condemned” involved the classic story of friends exploring an abandoned building and becoming victim of a dark, spooky killer with a knife.

“Poetic Essence,” directed by Dominique Charles, was a film about death, loss, the importance of friendship and love. It spread the message that you don’t often miss things until they are gone.

Filmmakers winning awards were presented trophies, and Sullivan received a 39-inch high-definition TV as prize for the Best Film award.

The event was hosted by the Statesboro Herald, and sponsored by the Averitt Center for the Arts, Millhouse Steakhouse (who provided refreshments during the intermission) and Gailey Trophy.

Statesboro Herald operations manager Jim Healy welcomed guests and DeWayne Grice introduced each film. Both presented the awards to winners.

“There were some tough choices,” Healy said about the judges’ consideration of the 11 films. “There always are every year.”

The Statesboro Film Festival was created by Matthew Bankhead, the event coordinator and video producer for statesboroherald.com and the lead producer for the daily Studio Statesboro vodcast and the Statesboro Herald Report. Bankhead presented the idea of a local competition for budding filmmakers.

 

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.