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Independent films scoop up honors at Sunscreen Film Festival

 
Martial Arts Kid was one of the winning films.
Martial Arts Kid was one of the winning films.
Published May 11, 2015

The Man Who Saved the World, a blend of Cold War documentary and narrative, was named best feature film at the recent Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg.

Sunscreen handed out its annual awards Sunday night at Mahaffey Theater, capping a weekend of independently produced features, documentaries, shorts and student works.

Mark Romeo and Christian Bruun's movie features commentary by historians and Oscar winners Robert De Niro, Matt Damon and Kevin Costner, while recreating scenes from Lt. Col. Stanislav Petrov's efforts to prevent a nuclear war in the early 1980s.

One multiple award winner was The Martial Arts Kid, a family-friendly adventure filmed around Titusville, starring Don "The Dragon" Wilson (Bloodfist, Batman Forever). Director Michael Baumgarten's spin-kick on The Karate Kid was named best Florida film, and Matthew Ziff won best supporting actor for his role as lead bully.

The festival's opening night film Next Goal Wins was voted the best documentary prize. Next Goal Wins profiles Tampa Bay Rowdies head coach Thomas Rongen during his stint coaching American Samoa's beleaguered World Cup team.

Isaac De Bankole was named best actor for Where the Road Runs Out, the only other film winning two awards. DeBankole (Casino Royale) played a scientist returning to his African roots, in a drama earning Rudolf Buitendach the festival's best director award.

Natalie Burn was named best actress for Awaken, and Ellah Durliat won best supporting actress for Chomp.

Other Sunscreen honorees included: The Belief (animated film), Will Smith's Attack of the Killer Skeleton from Outer Space (student film), Down in Flames: The True Story of Tony Volcano Valenci (short film), Norte Estrecho (Latin film), El Tigre y El Venado (documentary), I've Just Had a Dream (Latin short), Skyship Chronicles (Web series), and Veronica Ortiz Calderon, Y Ya No Te Gustas (emerging young director).

Contact Steve Persall at spersall@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8365. Follow @StevePersall.