‘HATE CRIME’ Controversial Film Exploring Religious Intolerance Wins Two Awards at Sedona (Arizona) Festival.

SEDONA, AZ—Hate Crime, an independent feature film exploring the destructive consequences of religious intolerance, won the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature, as well as being named Executive Director’s Festival Favorite at the Sedona International Film Festival on Sunday. The awards were presented to writer-director Tommy Stovall and executive producer Marc Sterling during the Festival Awards Brunch at L’Auberge Resort in Sedona. Also in attendance were cast members Seth Peterson, Cindy Pickett and Lin Shaye. The film received a standing ovation when it debuted at the festival on Friday evening to a sold-out theater audience.

Already hitting a nerve with audiences in our current politically volatile climate, Hate Crime is a riveting suspense thriller that involves the personal consequences of religion-based prejudice. It traces the story of a young gay couple whose ideal world is suddenly devastated when they confront the escalating revulsion of a religious fanatic who moves in next door. The all-star cast, packed with powerful performances, includes Seth Peterson (TV’s Providence), Golden Globe Winner and Academy Award Nominee Bruce Davison (Longtime Companion, X-MEN), Chad Donella (Final Destination, Shattered Glass), Cindy Pickett (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Golden Globe Winner Susan Blakely (Rich Man, Poor Man), Lin Shaye (There’s Something About Mary) and Giancarlo Esposito (Usual Suspects, Do The Right Thing).

For more information, visit www.HateCrimeMovie.com.