BAKERSFIELD, CA--The inaugural "Outside The Box" Film Festival at the Fox Theater in Bakersfield held its closing ceremony and award show Sunday evening. The prize for excellence from the film festival is named in honor of Jet Travolta, John's son, who passed away in 2009.
This year the award went to one of Bakersfield's own, David Mensch. Their movie "David's and Zach's Quest to Sacramento" tells the story about David and his son's 300 mile bike ride to raise awareness about possible budget cuts that could hurt people with special needs in California.
"I got the chills down my spine seeing my dad and how he has reached the top,” Zach said. “He is a star."
In the veterans category "Honor Flight Kern County" won for best short film.
"I actually grew up in ( Kern County ) and I live in Los Angeles now,” said Ross Raventos, director "Honor Flight Kern County.” It is really cool to come back to my home base and participate in a program that is so amazing and actually be rewarded for all the time I spent on the trip which is fantastic. It is a little icing on the cake."
Winning an award also means greater exposure that could possibly draw the attention of a movie studio and a wider audience.
"The awards that we get and recognition in festivals we could get a good distribution deal for the film and it will be on television sometime in about a year,” said Noel Izon, director "Choc'late Soldiers From The USA."
Organizers are happy with how the festival turned out and hope to build on the momentum for next year.
"We are going to start planning for next year in about ten minutes but we are going to stop and breathe for just a second," said Rick Davis, producer of The Outside The Box Festival.
This year the award went to one of Bakersfield's own, David Mensch. Their movie "David's and Zach's Quest to Sacramento" tells the story about David and his son's 300 mile bike ride to raise awareness about possible budget cuts that could hurt people with special needs in California.
"I got the chills down my spine seeing my dad and how he has reached the top,” Zach said. “He is a star."
In the veterans category "Honor Flight Kern County" won for best short film.
"I actually grew up in ( Kern County ) and I live in Los Angeles now,” said Ross Raventos, director "Honor Flight Kern County.” It is really cool to come back to my home base and participate in a program that is so amazing and actually be rewarded for all the time I spent on the trip which is fantastic. It is a little icing on the cake."
Winning an award also means greater exposure that could possibly draw the attention of a movie studio and a wider audience.
"The awards that we get and recognition in festivals we could get a good distribution deal for the film and it will be on television sometime in about a year,” said Noel Izon, director "Choc'late Soldiers From The USA."
Organizers are happy with how the festival turned out and hope to build on the momentum for next year.
"We are going to start planning for next year in about ten minutes but we are going to stop and breathe for just a second," said Rick Davis, producer of The Outside The Box Festival.