"Entre Nos," "Punching The Clown" Lead Fort Lauderdale Film Festival Winners

November 10, 2009 7:36 a.m. EST

Ft. Lauderdale, FL (CNS) - The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is coming to a close and the award winners were announced Sunday night in a presentation hosted by FLIFF president Gregory von Hausch.

Among the big winners was "Entre Nos," the new immigrant drama which picked up 4 awards, including The Seashell Award for Best Film of the festival, Best Actress in a Foreign Film for star Paola Mendoza, who also co-wrote and co-directed the film, The Special Jury Award for Debut by a Child, and The President's Award for Best Feature Film. "This film is close to our hearts and was a labor of love. We couldn't be more thrilled," said co-director and writer Gloria La Morte.

"Punching the Clown," a comedy about a satirical singer/songwriter, scored Best American Indie Film, Best Actor in an American Indie for star Henry Phillips and Best Director of an American Indie for Gregori Viens.

"Trucker," starring Michelle Monaghan and Nathan Fillion, picked up awards for Best First-Time Director for James Mottern and a Best Actress in an American Indie award for star Monaghan. She also picked up the festival's Star on the Horizon Award.

Audience Awards, as voted on by attendees of the festival, awarded Best American Indie to the thriller "In My Sleep," Best Foreign Feature to "Italians," Best Documentary to "Official Rejection, and Best Short to "The Finding."

On Wednesday, November 11th, Cinema Paradiso in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale will host a final screening of a selection of the festival's award winners.