Canberra, Australia – November 9, 2019 – Today Veteran Film Festival announced The Sea Swells, an Iranian short film directed by Amir Gholami as the winner of Cinema Without Borders’ GoE Bridging The Borders Award sponsored by Go Energistics.
At the festival’s award ceremony Adam B. Shepherd, a jury member and President and CEO of Go Energistics, sponsor of the GoE Bridging The Borders Award announced the winning film:
Amir Gholam, director of the The Sea Swells, in an award acceptance message for Cinema Without Borders wrote: “It is a great honor for me to receive this Cinema Without Borders’ GoE Bridging the Borders Award. I thank the Veteran Film Festival organizers to provide the opportunity of screening of my film at the festival and I am thankful to the jury for recognizing my film for this award.
I would like to dedicate this award to the resistance of the Rojava Kurds”
Veterans Film Festival mentioned GoE Bridging The Borders Award in a press release that appeared in Australian media.
The Sea Swells
Length: 16:15
Country: IRAN
Synopsis – The War is surrounding an old man’s life who lives in middle of the Sea. (world without land)
Writer/Director/ Producer – Amir Gholami
Cast – Mohammad Rauf Mohammadi
Jury members for GoE Bridging the Borers Award were:
Lara Thomas Ducey
After graduating with degrees in Theatre/Film and English from the University of Kansas, Lara Thomas Ducey moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career. With a passion for both comedy and drama, she has appeared in several commercials and programs on notable networks (TBS, HBO, TruTv, MTV, Fusion, AMC). One recent project received numerous awards and was accepted into 52 international film festivals – including the prestigious AFI Film Fest. A favorite recurring opportunity is performing in sketches on late night’s CONAN. As a founding member of Buran Theatre Company – she continues to write for and act on various stages across the US. When she isn’t in front of the camera – Lara is also an accomplished Producer, Script Supervisor and 1st AD on several short and feature length films. As a published writer, Lara contributed to the HarperCollins book, Revolution for Dummies: Laughing Through the Arab Spring [by Bassem Youssef – “the Egyptian Jon Stewart”]. Currently she is making a documentary that explores the media & criminal justice with Morgan Cooper Productions. In her “free” time, Lara volunteers with Sunrise
Movement — an organization committed to combating the climate crisis for a healthy & prosperous future for all.
Susan Morgan Cooper
Susan Morgan Cooper is a Director/Producer/ Writer and her credits include:
To the Moon and Back, Documentary, Director/Producer/Writer 2016 (A cinematic act of love and courage’ … Broadway World) – Hopper [In his own words] Documentary, Producer/Writer 2013 (“I was moved to tears” Mike Medavoy) – Mulberry Child, Documentary, Director/Producer/Writer 2012 (‘A powerful and touching film’… 31/2 stars. Roger Ebert) – An Unlikely Weapon [The Eddie Adams Story]..Documentary, Director/Producer/Writer 2008 ( ‘A terrific documentary’ The Hollywood Reporter) – Making Of Shadows in The Sun, Documentary, Director/Producer/Writer 2005 – Heroes And Sheroes. Television Series, Director/Producer/Writer 2000
Mirjana: One Girl’s Journey, Documentary, Director/Producer/Writer 1997 – Stringers, Narrative Short Director/Producer/Writer 1990 – Hadley’s Rebellion, Narrative Feature Associate Producer 1989
Adam Shepherd
Adam Shepherd, President and Chief Executive Officer of Go Energistics (GoE), has been a champion for social awareness and strong supporter of numerous non-profit organizations dedicated to healing. As the founder of (GoE) a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Adam is devoted to serving the men and women of our Nation’s military, Veterans, and their families by supporting the health care systems that serve them.
Adam not only witnessed but experienced first-hand, how people all over the world are eager to connect beyond their borders and despite their [perceived]differences. Continually moved by the spirit of people, Adam actively seeks out opportunities to encourage and enact positive social awareness and change.
Adam’s appreciation for the arts, especially cinema and its power to globally unite people, drives him to serve a higher purpose that goes beyond traditional borders. Adam’s philosophy and core belief that each of us can have a positive impact in our world are echoed through GoE’s sponsorship of the Bridging the Borders Award; which recognizes and highlights those who are most successful in bringing people of our world closer together through film.
Bijan Tehrani
Bijan Tehrani a film director, film critic and writer, works as Editor in Chief of Cinema Without Borders and CineEqual, while teaching Language & History of film workshops and organizes film screening events and festivals. Bijan has won several awards in international film festivals and book fairs for his short films and children’s books.
For the tenth anniversary of Cinema Without Borders, Bijan has received Ambassador of International Cinema Award from South east European Film Festival, Friend of the Festival Award from Polish Film Festival, LA and Gateway to International Cinema Award from Hungarian Film festival. Bijan Tehrani is recently working on a few new children books, a screenplay for a feature film and organizing an international film festival on immigration.
Other nominees for the 2019 GoE Bridging The Borders Award at Veterans Film Festival nominees were:
Beyond Her Lens
Length: 19:01
Country: Czech Republic
Synopsis – BEYOND HER LENS is inspired by the life and work of female conflict-zone photographer Jana Andert. It follows Alex’s (portrayed by prominent Czech actress Lucie Vondrackova) return to Prague as she attempts to piece together a sense of normalcy after shooting footage in Mosul, Iraq.
Director/Writer/Producer – Tereza Hirsch
Nooreh
Length: 22:22
Country: India
Synopsis – Nestled in Kashmir valley lies a small village on the India-Pakistan border always caught in the crossfire between the two warring nations. One night an eight year old girl ‘Nooreh’ discovers that the gun battle rages when she sleeps and the bloody duel stops when she keeps her eyes open.
Writer/Director/Producer – Ashish Pandey
Cast – Saima Latief, Sania Manzoor, Afreen Rafiq