Dawn Westlake

"From On High" has won the Special Jury Award at the 2020 Sacrae Scenae Film Festival in Ardesio, Italy on August 30, 2020. Written and helmed by Dawn Westlake, FROM ON HIGH tells the story of a Syrian girl who finds a better life in Europe. This is the 13th award for FROM ON HIGH and the 82nd award for films produced by Westlake's Ron de Cana Productions, Inc. shingle since 2000.

The jury's reasoning behind the award: "From On High/Dawn Westlake/8"/USA: This extremely original short film encourages an absolutely necessary reflection on the current political pollution of religion and how relationships could improve between the world’s faiths through the simple, tolerant views of the younger generations."

Amongst the 13 awards for the film, DP/Editor Pol Carrizo Vilarroig of Imatge Barcelona won a Best Cinematography Award from Festival Carpine d' Argento in Visciano, Italy, and composer GC Johnson of Acoustic Labs won a Best Soundtrack Award from Mediterranean Festival Corto in Diamante, Italy.

FROM ON HIGH marked the professional acting debuts of 11-year-olds Zoe Pinell Lopez and Esteve Serra Coll.

For more info: http://dawnwestlake.com/rondecana/films/fromonhigh/index.html