Stan Lee Marvels audience at Catalina Film Festival 2012

by Ron Gilbert

Stan Lee preferred to appear at the opening of the 2nd Catalina film festival on the same day of the record breaking weekend release of "The Avengers". The attendees loved having him there for 2 days on which he appeared and discussed his marvelous journey after the audience viewed "The Avengers" which preceded the documentary "With Great Power" -The Stan Lee Story. Stan is very personable and greeted everyone with his fantastic energy and was very gracious receiving the Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Award.

Stan Lee: Catalina Film Festival

Catalina Festival director ,Ron Truppa has created a very special film festival in Avalon on this lovely Island which has a Hollywood film legacy dating back to silent movies, Charlie Chaplin , vacation residences of the stars and Marilyn Monroe. Everything is within walking distance with no traffic snarls but available golf carts and bicycles for those who prefer them.
The opening night film at the Avalon theatre ,"The Magic of Belle Isle" directed by Oscar nominee Rob Reiner with Oscar winner Morgan Freeman and Oscar nominee Virginia Madsen

Stan Lee and Gil Champion: Catalina Film Festival with Stan Lee warmed everyone's hearts with this very touching film.

Oscar nominee director Mark Rydell was given a career tribute award and appeared with Emmy award winner Ed Asner in the award winning short film, "Good Men" directed and written by Brian Connors.

Mark Rydell and Brian Connors : Catalina Film Festival 2012

The short films and film panels and on the future of the film industry were filled with A list directors, writer,animators ,producers and talent managers who were available for attendees to connect with and give advice to industry veterans and hopefuls. The "Storytelling in New Media" with panelists writer/producer Mike Rotman , Lionsgate New Media producer Alex Barkaloff and "Secret Handshake" owner Dena Hysell moderated by IndieCon Chairman Marc Clebanoff were full of information and inspired by attendees.
The animation panel "From the Page to Screen Adaptation" was moderated by Golan Rambas VP at Hero Pictures, with panelists Pulitzer prize winning cartoonist,screenwriter ,novelist and illustrator. Berkeley Breathed,Dreamworks producer Alex Schwartz, producer /talent manager Fonda Synder,producer Joe Lefavi and writers Ron J. Friedman and Steve Bencich presented attendees with information necessary to present a project.

"Confessions of an Eco-Terrorist" directed by Peter Jay Brown won the Catalina Island Isla Earth Award. This film was an inside look into Paul Watson, the founder of the Sea Shepherd Society and his team and their activities to halt atrocities committed worldwide against sea mammals. Director Peter Jay Brown followed the film with a discussion filled with passion.
"Irvine Welsh's Ecstasy " winner of best feature was a twisted tale of romance in the world of chemical dependency with an awesome performance by Adam Sinclair(Lloyd) who falls in love in  Kristin Kreuk(Heather) and his world starts to crack and he wants to escape the drug boss Carlo Rota(Solo)
The entire film program of shorts ,features and documentaries presented a wealth of talented filmmakers under the beautiful skies of Avalon
Festival director ,Ron Truppa included the heart and soul of Catalina Island in his program including the Catalina Conservancy and what is really important for future generations and the philosophy of the Wrigley Estate. The Catalina Film Festival will in my own words  be the festival of the future and I was glad to be there to share it.

And the winners are:
Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Award—Stan Lee
With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story Majestic Award Directed by Terry Dougas, Nikki Fracas and Will Hess
Irving Welsh’s Ecstasy Best Feature Film Directed by Roy Heydon
Thumb Snatchers from the Moon Cocoon Best Animated Film Directed by Brad Schaffer
Sunset Strip Best Documentary Directed by Hans Fjellestaf
Trotteur Best Short Film Directed by Arnaud Brisebois and Francis Leclerc
Boarders Best Screenplay
ISLA EARTH AWARD WINNERS:
Confessions of an Eco‐Terrorist Isla Earth Award of Excellence Directed by Peter Jay Brown
Rock The Boat Isla Earth Award of Merit Directed by Thea Mercouffer
Mark Rydell Career Attribute

http://catalinafilm.org/