Festival 2010

The Carmel Art and Film Festival screened more than 75 films in a half dozen venues in 2010, including under the stars on Carmel Beach, and we presented the inaugural Clint Eastwood Filmmakers Award. The award is designed to give Clint and his wife, Dina, wide latitude on deciding a winner. It can go to anyone working in the film industry: directors, actors, and cinematographers - anyone who embodies Clint's commitment to the craft of filmmaking. In 2010 the Clint Eastwood Filmmakers Award went to Josh Weigel for the short film "Butterfly Circus," which is now in development as a feature length film.

Several other films featured at the 2010 Carmel Art and Film Festival have continued to pick up awards and recognition. "West of the Moon," which won Best Short at Carmel Art and Film has also won top honors at other festivals, and has qualified for Academy Award consideration next year. "God of Love," one of our 2010 featured shorts, won Best Short at this year's Academy Awards. Congratulations to director Luke Matheny! Banksy's irreverent look at street art and its impact on the broader contemporary art arena picked up an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary. "Exit it Through the Gift Shop" didn't win, but it made two of street art's more colorful characters, the anonymous Banksy and the irrepressible Mr. Brainwash red-hot commodities. MBW (Mr. Brainwash) was our featured artist last year and certainly added an element of unpredictability to the 2010 festival. The stand up and cheer documentary about a high school slam poetry contest, "Louder Than a Bomb," got some Oprah love. The film was bought by Oprah's new TV network, OWN. Congrats to all the filmmakers.

Women in Film brought together five powerhouse women who are helping to reshape the film industry. From lunch on stage at the Sunset Cultural Arts Center, to the lively panel discussion to the screening of Susan Koch's documentary "The Other City," is was an exhilarating afternoon of conversation and cultural immersion. The Composers Brunch was also a big hit with Alan Silvestri, Dave Newman, and Mark Mancina telling stories and offering insight into the marriage of music and movies. That's just a few of the highlights from 2010.

Check out more images from Carmel Art and Film Festival 2010!