male announcer: This program was made possible by Film Consortium San Diego, Heartland Films, KPBS, and viewers like you.

♪♪♪♪♪ ♪♪♪♪♪ ♪♪♪♪♪ announcer: This is the 2024 San Diego Film Awards with your host for the evening Randy Davison.

Randy Davison: Welcome to the 2024 San Diego Film Awards.

The show hasn't actually started but it really has, if you know what I mean.

Half the fun of an awards show is walking in the front door.

female: Hey, Randy, I'm looking for a new manager.

Can you hook me up?

Randy: She's not looking for middle-aged white women, sorry.

female: Would you be in my next movie?

Randy: Check with my agent.

male: Hey, Randy.

Hey, when was the last time you drove up to LA?

I'm self taping now.

Hardly ever.

female: Can I tell you about my script?

It's totally an award winning idea.

Randy: Email it to me.

female: Got any drink tickets?

Randy: I don't need no stinking drink tickets.

You've heard of a no host bar?

This is the host bar.

Don't backwash.

What some people might not realize is the incredible effort that goes into making this night happen.

Believe it or not, takes a small fortune too.

There are over 100 volunteers working behind the scenes to make sure things run smoothly.

[plates crashing] Well, mostly smoothly.

That's okay, we'll fix it in post.

Devin Scott: Every story has a beginning and the nearly 100 year history of entertainment award shows began in 1927 when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was established by Louis B. Mayer.

The first presentation was held in 1929 at a private dinner function at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with an audience of about 270 people.

Mayer said-- Louis B. Mayer: I found that the best way to handle filmmakers was to hang medals all over them, if I got them cups and awards, they'd kill themselves to produce what I wanted.

Devin: Well, his devious plan worked and the Academy Awards was born.

You can't make these stories up, unless you're a really good writer.

The nominees for Best Original Screenplay are-- male announcer: Brian Patrick Butler for, "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea."

Marc Arthur Cherry for, "Pandemic Bread."

Roman S. Koenig for, "Red Blooded."

Grant Clover for, "I Walk With Ghosts."

Benjamin Howard for, "Riley."

Whitney Wegman-Wood for, "The Last Butterflies."

♪♪♪♪♪ Devin: And the winner is Benjamin Howard for "Riley."

Benjamin Howard: Thank you so much for this wonderful honor for best screenplay.

I set out to write something that was just really personal.

I wanted to write something that I knew front and back, that I could make authentically and without some early support from Ron Najor, who I want to dedicate this award to, I don't think this script kind of morphs into what it eventually became.

So, thank you, Ron, and thank you San Diego Film Consortium.

Jodi Cilley: Louis B. Mayer may have invented the Academy Awards to bait filmmakers into doing his bidding, but the San Diego Film Awards was created in 2014 with better intentions.

I wanted to give our local filmmakers the recognition that they deserved.

So, with the help of countless people, we created an award show just for our community.

male: Please welcome, Jose Yenque.

Jose Yenque: And the award for Best Writing in a short film goes to-- male: Marc McClure.

male: And the award for Best Supporting Actor in a show or film goes to-- Jodi: The first one took place at the historic Horton Grand Hotel and Theater.

And let me tell you, the show might have been four hours long, but the after party was legendary.

Legendary!

The vast majority of films honored that night were short films, and though we finally reached a point where more features have entered the competition, shorts are still the backbone of our community.

The nominees for Best Narrative Short Film are-- male announcer: "Amazing Grace" produced by Aiden Keltner, Benito Bautista, and Emma Francisco.

female: To get out of the ER, a thought crossed my mind.

male announcer: "And Yet They Speak," produced by Windy Marshall.

"Carly," produced by Shelly Ro, Humberto 'Tito' Castillo, under Cuyo Productions.

Carly: Guys, meet Ted.

Come on, you.

male announcer: "Death is a Rose Bush," produced by Connie Chiarelli and Brooke McCormick.

Meredith Champ: I don't care if you have a flower order from the Taj Mahal from the Saudi prince himself.

If you think I'm gonna write you a check for a half a million, you have another thing coming.

male announcer: "Red Blooded," produced by Roman S. Koenig, Jennie Olson Six, and Rhianna Basore.

female: It's a given when you feel threatened.

male announcer: "The Last Butterflies," produced by Sue Vicory and Whitney Wegman-Wood.

♪♪♪♪♪ "The Paradise Road," produced by Lisa Marie Tedesco and Shelly Ro.

♪♪♪♪♪ ♪♪♪♪♪ Jodi: And the winner is, "The Last Butterflies," produced by Sue Vicory and Whitney Wegman-Wood.

Sue Vicory: Thank you to the San Diego Film Consortium for awarding our film, "The Last Butterflies," best short narrative film.

We are so proud to have been associated with the Consortium for the past ten years and this is quite an honor.

Thank you.

Maya Trabulsi: Twenty twenty-four is a milestone year for San Diego Film Awards.

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary and officially entering middle school.

And while we reach this exciting benchmark, the Pacific Southwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, also known as the regional Emmys, is turning the big 50, this year making them practically seniors with their well deserved discount card.

For five decades they've been champions of media professionals across the region.

And speaking of champions, filmmakers here tonight, take note, many of your narrative documentary and student films could have been Emmy contenders.

male: I could have been somebody.

Maya: This year, you could have been a contender.

And the nominees for Best Feature Documentary are-- male announcer: "Common Ground," directed by Josh Tickell and Rebecca Tickell.

female: We might just have to save the soil first.

male announcer: "Missed Conceptions," directed by Donna Marvin-Platt.

female: I went on ancestry and I had my DNA test taken.

That's when somebody reached out and it was a cousin and he found me, Mark.

male announcer: "We Will Not Be Silenced," directed by Luis Solarat.

male: Prepared my whole life for a moment like this, but nothing would prepare me.

male announcer: "Why the Nativity?"

Directed by Paul Joyner.

male: He became greater.

A celebration fit for the one and only king.

♪♪♪♪♪ Maya: And the winner is, "Common Ground," directed by Josh Tickell and Rebecca Tickell.

Rebecca Tickell: Hi, I'm Rebecca Tickell, writer, director, and producer of "Common Ground," and these here are my executive producers and this is newborn Taylor Swift and we're here at Big Picture Ranch where we are learning how to regeneratively farm, and we also make movies about regenerative farming, and we could not be more excited to have the honor of the San Diego Film Award.

Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.

Right, guys?

One, two, three.

all: Thank you.

Larry Poole: Between the Golden Globes, Emmy's, Directors Guild, Writers Guild, it's like everybody has an award show.

Nineteen ninety-five, the Actors Union got into the awards show game with the first ever SAG Awards.

SAG Awards are the only major award show where your peers actually decide who the winner is.

Every SAG-AFTRA member is a voter and out of 165,000 voters, 200 members are selected for the nominating committee, including me.

So, if you love this year's selections, you can thank me.

And, well, if you hated them, well, you can blame the other 199.

The nominees for Best Lead Actress are-- male announcer: Connie Chiarelli for, "Death is a Rose Bush."

Meredith: All this pleasant friendly chat was a cover.

You're--you're actually a terrible person.

male announcer: Deborah Gilmore Smyth for, "Amazing Grace."

Mriam: Father, Lord in Heaven, hallowed by thy name.

male announcer: Mandahla Rose for, "The Paradise Road."

Shae: Some book tell you?

Some pamphlet?

Some God?

male announcer: Whitney Wegman-Wood for, "The Last Butterflies."

female: Help, please.

We need help.

male announcer: Shelly Ro for, "The Paradise Road."

Ellie: And it is going to be way harder this time around, especially with the outcome.

male announcer: Denice Riddle for, "Red Blooded."

Lois Green: When he went after Ben, that was a line he crossed.

♪♪♪♪♪ Larry: And the winner is Deborah Gilmore Smyth for, "Amazing Grace."

Deborah Gilmore Symth: I am so thankful.

After working for more than 45 years in the live theater, I was transported into the world of film with this beautiful story, "Amazing Grace," and I was gifted with working with remarkable artists, producers, Benito and Emma Bautista, actor Jake Millgard, cinematographer Aakash Raj, and especially the inspired work of writer and director, Aiden Keltner.

I am humbled and grateful to the Film Consortium of San Diego for this honor.

Thank you.

Greg Durbin: All film festivals and awards shows have their origin stories.

When I joined the faculty of SDSU in 1987, I initiated an end of semester film festival called The Dogs of Film.

One of the senior faculty told me at the time, "Durban, if you're not careful, you'll turn this place into a film school," and I naively thought that was my job.

Well, that film festival survived 37 years and, indeed, we did succeed in turning that place into a film school.

The reality today is that most successful filmmakers begin as film students, showing in film festivals like The Dogs of Film or the San Diego Film Awards.

Well, this is true for this year's nominees for Best Student Narrative Short.

They are-- male announcer: "6 Weeks," directed by Caroline Lannes for SDSU.

female: Don't make me feel guilty for something that happened to you too.

female: I didn't mean it like that.

female: Especially when I came here to fix it.

male announcer: "Los Ayeres de Hoy," directed by Emilia Perez Rocha Santos for SDSU.

male: Let's go, man.

male: You go ahead.

I'll be right behind you.

male announcer: "Shayna Punim," directed by Emilie Anderson for SDSU.

female: It's-- female: I know, I know.

Told you, you have to get used to it.

male announcer: "The Box," directed by Benjamin George Taft for SDSU.

male: You can't keep letting this control you.

male announcer: "Say Nothin' But a Word," directed by Chantay Taylor for SDSU.

male: All right, all right.

male: Get your hands where I can see them.

male: Okay.

male: Higher!

male announcer: "The Other Side," directed by Angel Gomez for MACSD Teen Producers Project.

♪♪♪♪♪ Greg: And the winner is, "Los Ayeres de Hoy," directed by Emilia Perez Rocha Santo.

Emilia Perez Rocha Santos: Thank you to the San Diego Film Awards for giving us this amazing reward.

Making this film as a thesis film at San Diego State University was an incredible experience that taught us a lot of student filmmakers.

I would like to thank the whole cast and crew for this film, especially Maya, Virginia, and Arwa for believing in the script with me and being there with me every single step of the way.

I'd like to thank all the professors at SDSU and all of our incredible supporters because if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be here.

Thank you.

Randy: Award shows?

Some people say the format is a bit tired, but not us.

We are here and we will continue to be here every year because we have a community that is passionate about awarding excellence.

Am I right?

female: I'm just here to live tweet how much I hate the host.

male: Just here because I'm nominated for an award that I definitely won't get.

male: I'm just here for the drinks.

No!

male: I got you, buddy.

male: Aww, thanks, man.

Randy: Whatever your reason for being here tonight, one thing is for certain, we are here to honor the nominees, encourage the dreamers, and praise the crews who work tireless nights on end, fueled by sheer passion and cheap pizza.

Devin: If there's one thing awards shows usually need, it's a better editor.

Four hour run times, winners droning on about their third grade teachers or it being past their kids bedtime.

I mean, who has the time to watch all that?

You know, back in my day we used to--and that's just how we did it.

The nominees for Best Editing are-- male announcer: Robin Martin for, "And Yet They Speak."

Rich Varville for, "Glass Casa."

Benjamin Howard for, "Riley."

Patrick Rea for, "The Last Butterflies."

♪♪♪♪♪ Devin: And the winner is Benjamin Howard for, "Riley."

Benjamin: Thank you very much for this award for Best Editing.

This award, you know, wouldn't be possible without my first assistant director whose really bold suggestion in the edit kind of allowed us to explore the story in a new and fresh way that I was blind to and if it weren't for that suggestion, Mico, this award wouldn't be a thing.

So, I want to dedicate this to you.

Thank you.

Costa Dillon: Movies are a risky business, especially comedy.

Comedy is subjective and what makes me laugh might not be funny to you.

Ask Woody Allen.

One thing is for sure, filmmakers definitely like to give awards to other filmmakers.

I've never seen a program where doctors give awards to other doctors.

"Best appendectomy of the year."

But here's the thing.

Every film finds an audience, some so-called worst movies become cult classics.

They're so hilariously bad, or strangely compelling, that they develop a whole new fan base.

It's like finding a hidden gem in a discount bin.

And no matter what the quality of acting or directing might be, a film can still look great thanks to the cinematographer.

The nominees for Best Cinematography are-- male announcer: The Joelsons for, "And Yet They Speak."

female: I just knew it was a place where sick people went to get better.

male announcer: Garrett Glassell for, "Kade."

Brendan Cleak for, "Motherthief."

Michael Elias Thomas for, "Riley."

♪♪♪♪♪ Taylor Snyder for, "The Last Butterflies."

Kerry Morgan Glassman for, "The Paradise Road."

Trevor Neuenswander for, "Lockdown."

♪♪♪♪♪ Costa: And the winner is Michael Elias Thomas for, "Riley."

Michael Elias Thomas: Hello, San Diego Film Awards.

Thank you so much for this honor and for honoring our film, "Riley."

Making the film was truly a labor of love and I got to make it with some of my best friends and made some memories that I'll never forget.

So, thank you guys for honoring it in the same way that we honored it on set.

Have a good rest of the night and thank you so much.

male: It's definitely a game of, excuse my pun, Russian roulette.

Randy: Back in 2018, I won the best supporting actor award for my role in "Forgotten Hero."

It's a special award because that film went a long way in securing the subject of the film, Captain Royce Williams, the Navy Cross for bravery and aerial battle in the Korean War.

It's also a daily reminder that I've never won that coveted best actor award and I'm in every d-- film in San Diego.

What do I gotta do?

Fight a bear?

Swim in ice like Leo to win the award?

Come on, San Diego, throw me a bone.

And the nominees for Best Supporting Actor are-- male announcer: Justin Michael Terry for, "Glass Casa."

Charlie: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, I'll kill anything you want me to kill.

Just--just please don't--wait, what?

male announcer: Collin McCalla for, "Riley."

Jaeden Galloway: I just--I just don't want people to get the wrong idea about me, you know.

male announcer: Daniel Greer for, "Kade."

Richie: Who's to say I don't got a shotgun resting under this countertop?

♪♪♪♪♪ Randy: And the winner is Collin McCalla for, "Riley."

Collin McCalla: This is Collin McCalla, I played Jaden in the movie "Riley."

I just wanna say thank you so, so, so much for this award.

It means so much to me.

I had the time of my life filming, "Riley," in San Diego.

And honestly, Jaden has been one of the best characters I've ever gotten to play up to date and I'm just so grateful that you guys were able to recognize it and recognize the film.

I hope you enjoyed watching it and continue to watch it, and thank you guys so, so, so much again.

It truly, truly, truly means the world.

Randy: The nominees for Best Short Documentary are-- male announcer: "From Pen to Paper," directed by Paul Sutton and Lori Sutton.

male: See, the benefit of communication, both written and oral, that they never saw before.

male announcer: "Space For Art," directed by Maclovia G. Martel.

female: On Earth, I wanted to do art in space.

I'm very thankful to my friend Mary Jane Anderson and she's the one who reminded me of that.

male announcer: "The Big Dump: Our Pacific Ocean in Crisis," directed by Allen Carrasco.

male: Why are they in the water?

Why are kids surfing in sewage?

♪♪♪♪♪ Randy: And the winner is, "From Pen to Paper," directed by Paul Sutton and Lori Sutton.

Lori Sutton: Paul and I thank you for this very special honor, but the true praise goes to our incredible inmate writers who courageously opened their hearts and their minds to perfect strangers, allowing us to discover that there is hope and humanity in a place where many expected neither.

On behalf of those men, we thank you.

Randy: They say award shows are all about long speeches and endless thank yous.

Ain't nobody got time for that.

Besides, I heard the best California burrito in all of SoCal is just down the street and my attention span is getting hungry.

Right, Al?

Al: Oh, did you win?

Did you win an award?

Congratulations.

Randy: Betting man?

I'd say probably not.

When the San Diego Film Awards started, the show went on longer than a Martin Scorsese double feature.

Hey, those award speeches?

They could be a bit extra.

female: You like me.

You really like me.

Thank you.

male: This is for all of you that didn't believe in me.

male: I'm not drunk.

You're all drunk.

This--this whole industry is drunk.

Randy: Thankfully, we've done what no award show producer is willing to do.

We've streamlined our show into a one hour extravaganza.

That means we're moving so fast that some people might not be able to keep up.

female: Oh, wow.

I totally wasn't expecting this.

I didn't even write a speech.

Randy: Now that's the San Diego spirit.

Short, sweet, and straight to the point.

female: I can have Chat GPT-- Randy: Nope, no need.

We've already moved on.

Come more prepared next year.

[audience booing] [audience applauding] Larry: In the history of award shows, lead actors have provided plenty of memorable moments.

We still talk about Marlon Brando's famous speech given by Sacheen Littlefeather about the plight of the Native Americans or the time one of the nicest guys in Hollywood finally snapped.

Chris Rock: Oh, wow.

Wow, Will Smith just smacked the [bleep] out of me.

Larry: Then there was a time I walked into the San Diego Film Awards, very excited to be nominated for Best Actor with an acceptance speech neatly folded away in my pocket.

I walked out with a trophy, but it was for Best Costume Design.

Not exactly the career path I'd embarked upon.

And the nominees for Best Lead Actor are-- male announcer: Brian Patrick Butler for, "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea."

Liz Topham-Myrtle: When the quality drops out, don't you?

Peace and love, butt cracks catch you on the flip.

Come, Lucius.

male announcer: Joey Chase for, "Kade."

Kenichi: You made the mistake.

male announcer: Jake Millgard for, "Amazing Grace."

female: Isaac, Isaac.

You're okay.

You're okay, you're okay.

male announcer: Randy Davison for, "Carly."

Ted: Please.

Please, I beg you.

Give my daughter what I could never give her, please.

male announcer: Jake Holley for, "Riley."

[shouting] ♪♪♪♪♪ Larry: And the winner is Jake Holley for, "Riley."

Jake Holley: Hello there, San Diego Film Awards.

My name is Jake.

I played Dakota in the movie, "Riley."

I am so unbelievably honored and humbled to be receiving this award.

I had the time of my life filming this role and I'm so glad that you all enjoyed it.

This movie means so much to me.

Also, I lived in San Diego for a month while filming this and grew to really love the city.

So, my heart is with you all.

I love all of you and thank you very, very, very much from the bottom of my heart.

Costa: Toys like this one are based on the production design of a film.

Production design is what makes everything in front of the camera look good.

In my case, sadly, the scenes I did with George Clooney in, "Return of the Killer Tomatoes," did not help me look any better.

male: I gotta talk to you now.

Costa: I did get some advice from him.

He said, "If you wanna be successful in this business, you need to be taller and more handsome."

I didn't do either one.

The nominees for Best Production Design are-- male announcer: Windy Marshall for, "And Yet They Speak."

♪♪♪♪♪ Alessandra Manias for, "Carly."

Carly: I don't want to spoil anything.

So, let's just say he is in for the night of his life.

male announcer: Cindy Nguyen and Shao Chiu Yen for, "Kade."

male: That took you long enough.

♪♪♪♪♪ Costa: And the winner is Alessandra Manias for, "Carly."

Alessandra Manias: Thank you so much for this award.

I'm very honored for receiving it and thank you, Shelly, for having me as your production designer.

And I'm glad I had the opportunity to create the style of this beautiful sci-fi short.

Rich Varville: I think we all can agree.

We love making movies.

We don't do it for the trophies, we do it for the art.

But it's always nice to be recognized by your peers for your efforts.

Some may think these awards are silly, you know, unless they're attached to huge headlines.

But not true.

Winning awards, or even being nominated for an award, helps build recognition towards sustaining a career in filmmaking.

For more than 30 years now, I've immersed myself into producing music, learning the art of mixing sound, and creating sound design for motion pictures.

I was the first recipient of the San Diego Film Awards for Best Director of Music Video.

Rich: Wow, this thing is kind of sharp, huh?

Rich: And that's it.

I mean, I guess that's where I peaked.

It's all been downhill ever since.

I mean, I keep it on the shelf next to me to remind myself of better days, you know.

Maybe someday, ten years from now, you know, you too can be presenting an award for a category that you've never been nominated for although you've spent your entire career trying to master your craft.

The nominees for Best Sound Design are-- male announcer: Erika Koski and Skylar Marshall for, "And Yet They Speak."

♪♪♪♪♪ Ryan Felberbaum for, "Carly."

Carly: I am Carly, your host for the evening.

For those of you that are joining me for the first time.

male announcer: Kevin Waczek for, "Lockdown."

♪♪♪♪♪ Michael Shane Bowles for, "The Mad Doctor of the Intercontinental Hotel."

male: The intercontinental self-guided ghost tour.

♪♪♪♪♪ Rich: And the winner for Best Sound Design goes to Erika Koski and Skylar Marshall for, "And Yet They Speak."

And now, the nominees for Best Musical Score.

male announcer: Jerik Centeno for, "Riley."

♪ Chalk it up to youth but young age ♪ ♪ I ain't dissin' ♪ ♪ I guess I just had to get it outta my system ♪♪♪ male announcer: Jina Hyojin An for, "The Paradise Road."

♪♪♪♪♪ Larry Groupé for, "And Yet They Speak."

♪ To me.

♪ ♪ Do you wish you had all the things you need?

♪ ♪ Do you wish you had all-- ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪♪♪ Rich: And the award for Best Musical Score goes to Jerik Centeno for, "Riley."

Jerik Centeno: Hey, everyone, Jerik Centeno here.

I would like to thank Film Consortium San Diego for this award.

I'm so proud to be a part of, "Riley," and I'm humbled that my score is being recognized for Best Musical Score, a score which all started from a little phone recording of a piano song I wrote about a cat while I was house sitting.

I'd like to thank a couple of people, Benjamin Howard, Mark Matamoros, Jorge Bustamante, and my girlfriend, Leah Jarreb.

I hope you all go out and see, "Riley," soon and enjoy it.

Rich: And now for a category I did once get a nomination for, but I didn't win, but that's okay.

Tonight, someone will win for Best Visual Effects and the nominees are-- male announcer: Eric Fonseca and Cofa Productions for, "Anthony's Wish."

male: Get off my brother.

male announcer: Trevor Neuenswander for, "Lockdown."

♪♪♪♪♪ female: I said don't tempt me.

Ismahawk Pixeloid Visual Effects Inc. and Danny Shepherd for, "Carly."

Neil Aguilera for, "Lunch Break."

♪♪♪♪♪ Rich: And the award for Best Visual Effects goes to Ismahawk Pixeloid Visual Effects Incorporated and Danny Shepherd for, "Carly."

Danny Shepherd: Wow, thank you so much San Diego Film Awards.

This is such an honor to be receiving this right now.

I came on to this project rather late in the game, but it was extremely fun, extremely creatively fulfilling, and it is an honor to be receiving this award.

Shout out to Shelly and Emily for bringing me on board this project.

It was an honor to collaborate with you guys and thank you so much, San Diego Film Awards.

Devin: Back when I was a green film school graduate, I attended my very first award show, the Pacific Southwest Emmys in 1990.

I was nominated for a short I had directed.

I lost.

You can imagine how bummed I was.

Then, the San Diego Film Commissioner Wally Schlotter saved the night by handing me a consolation prize, a bottle of Cabernet which I promptly chugged.

Unfortunately, at the end of the award show, they announced that for the first time in the history of the Emmys, there had been a mistake and a recipient had been missed.

Needless to say, I gave the slurries speech of the night.

The lesson: never get drunk until the after party.

The nominees for Best Direction are-- male announcer: Aiden Keltner for, "Amazing Grace."

female: Isaac, Isaac.

Isaac, please.

Please, please, Isaac.

male announcer: Rich Varville for, "Death is a Rose Bush."

Laurel Valentine: What's wrong with you?

Are you okay?

male announcer: Windy Marshall for, "And Yet They Speak."

Zeinabu Irene Davis for, "Pandemic Bread."

♪♪♪♪♪ Benjamin Howard for, "Riley."

Dakota Riley: Yeah, let me see.

What?

♪♪♪♪♪ Devin: And the winner is Benjamin Howard for, "Riley."

Benjamin: San Diego Film Consortium, thank you so much for this honor for best directing.

There's so many folks that without this movie wouldn't have been possible.

Michael, behind the camera, you are an absolute magician.

Jake, in front of the camera, carrying the movie on your shoulders in the lead role.

Dad, thank you for moving out of your apartment for a month to let this happen, and, to the rest of our cast and crew, none of this happens without you.

So, thank you guys, all of you, from the bottom of my heart.

This is incredibly affirming for me, so thank you.

Randy: If they say it looking good is half the battle, tonight's battle for me included five hours on the treadmill, an extra dose of Ozempic, and a prayer to the fashion gods that I don't have a wardrobe malfunction.

To tell you the truth, it takes a lot of effort to look this good.

female: You telling me?

I had to pick up this dress at 6 a.m. just to get my nails done at 7:30, three hours to do this, to make my face-- Randy: Hi, Mark.

Mark: Hey, Randy, how are you doing?

Randy: Another awards show, I see.

Mark: Nah, dude, I don't crash your events, come on.

male: Hey, you!

Out!

female: And don't even get me started on the herculean effort it took to make my hair look like this.

Randy: Come on, you wake up looking like that.

female: I know, but I have to say it.

Sue: As an independent filmmaker for the past 22 years, I have strived to learn the craft one project at a time without regard for accolades.

The joy for me was in the process of learning and collaborating and in spinning out a visual story.

Having a story resonate with others is considered a success for me.

But with time, as my skills improved, the awards began to arrive.

Now, with a mantle full of awards, I'm proud of my efforts and I'm now about mentoring others with an emphasis on female filmmakers.

I am forever grateful for the opportunity to work with so many talented individuals, especially women.

The recipient of the Sue Vickery Women in Film Award this year is Jane Hare.

Jane Hare: Thank you so much for this honor.

My interest in filmmaking actually started a very, very long time ago, but it wasn't until I moved to San Diego ten years ago that I was able to start working as a producer, executive producer, and in other roles on short films, 15 so far, and a feature film, with much more to come.

One of the dynamics that I'm noticing change over the years are the number of women and gender non-conforming filmmakers that are on set, both cast and crew, above and below the line, and all of this is adding to the creative and technical dynamics that make storytelling such an enriching profession.

So, if you have an interest in filmmaking, I'd encourage you to get involved.

And again, thank you so much for this honor.

Greg: We all start somewhere.

When I entered the festival circuit in the early 1980s, as a first time filmmaker, I just knew I had a sure-fire winner.

When I got my first rejection notice from the Aspen Film Festival, I was certain the jury had made a mistake.

I was naive and stupid enough to demand an explanation, which, of course, I never got.

However, that film did well in other film festivals that year.

So, the following year, Aspen begged me to resubmit with a fee waiver.

Well, the same thing happened to me years later with my film, "Boundaries," which, despite some initial rejections, won the Slam Dance Grand Jury Prize.

These experiences taught me that no matter how brilliant you think your films might be, you can expect far more rejections than acceptances in the film festival circuit.

This is a hard pill to swallow for first time filmmakers, but persistence pays off.

I'm sure this year's nominees for Best First Time Filmmaker will be persistent.

They are-- male announcer: Whitney Wegman-Wood for, "The Last Butterflies."

female: Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.

Quack.

Emilie Anderson for, "Shayna Punim."

female: I told you, he always wears those shirts.

I don't like cheap.

male announcer: Emilia Perez Rocha Santos for, "Los Ayeres de Hoy."

male: I will not be having brown grandkids.

female: I can't do this.

male: Where are you going?

female: I'm going to my room, dad.

male: Come back here.

female: No.

[bell ringing] male announcer: Angel Gomez for, "The Other Side."

[speaking foreign language] ♪♪♪♪♪ Greg: And the winner is Angel Gomez for, "The Other Side."

Angel Gomez: First, thank my cast and crew for putting in the time and the effort into my project.

It definitely was not easy making a film in Tijuana for the first time, but it was a lot of fun and I really like how it came out.

And I would also like to thank my family and my girlfriend for really motivating me and inspiring me for this story.

Costa: One of the most challenging parts of making movies based on tomatoes is, well, the tomatoes.

Turns out that real tomatoes rot, baked tomatoes don't always perform at an award worthy level, and giant tomatoes, well, they're just a nuisance.

But that didn't keep our killer tomatoes off the red carpet.

In 1979, we were told that, "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes," was nominated for worst vegetable movie at the Golden Turkey Awards.

Being the preeminent film of the killer vegetable genre, our nomination was not good enough.

When they called us and said, "We would love to have, 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes,'" we told them, "You can have it on one condition, that we win."

So, the fix was in.

The nominees for worst--I mean, Best Narrative Feature Film are-- male announcer: "Glass Casa," produced by Laa Marcus.

"Kade," produced by Liam S. Terlecki.

"Riley," produced by Benjamin Howard, Tommy Anderson, and Laura Scarano.

"The Master Chief," produced by Audie Embestro, Hillary Soriano, and Ken Gora.

"Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea," produced by Tony Olmos, Rob Padilla Junior, and Brian Patrick Butler.

♪♪♪♪♪ Costa: And the winner is, "Riley," produced by Benjamin Howard, Tommy Anderson, and Laura Scarano.

Benjamin: Thank you very much San Diego Film Consortium for this honor for Best Feature.

This movie doesn't get made if it's shot anywhere except San Diego.

Being in my hometown was wonderful, shooting here, and without the help of Tommy and Laura and Natalie and Maria and Shardin and Ron, this movie doesn't get made.

So, I want to dedicate this award to you guys.

Thanks.

Randy: So you think getting nominated for an award here is easy?

Think again.

Just getting your film nominated is a huge accomplishment.

Only a select few will walk away with this coveted statue.

male: That's the wrong one.

Randy: Oh, sorry.

This one.

Sure, sometimes a film comes along that takes home everything, but make no mistake, the talent and dedication it takes to reach that level is not for the weak.

Of course, with all the hard work that everyone put in-- female: Oh, the stress is killing me.

Please, award show gods, let this be over.

male: Please, let my re-edited 48 hour film win.

male: If Randy he doesn't keep my wife's name out of his mouth.

I'm gonna go up on stage and smack it.

Randy: It's a roller coaster of emotions, but, hey, that's part of the fun.

Sue: Sometimes, meeting one person can change the course of your life.

Meeting and befriending a young lady, Stephanie Tillman, who had been homeless, changed both of our lives.

Together, we have forged a friendship which has stood the test of time and lasted 20 years.

With her help, I created the "My Power of One" brand and it's now celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Our message is simple: random acts of kindness make the world a better place.

Starting in 2015, at the San Diego Film Awards, I gave out the first My Power of One Award.

Sue: The first recipient of the My Power of One Award, Jodi Cilley.

[audience cheering] Sue: The recipients of this award have long ties to the local film community and have contributed efforts above and beyond.

This year, I am presenting the My Power of One Award to two individuals who have made tremendous contributions to our community.

I have had the privilege of working with both of them.

It is my honor to present the My Power of One Award to Merrick McCartha and Caroline Amiguet.

Merrick McCartha: It is my sincere honor to accept the Power of One Award this year.

One thing that's always been true for me is that many times it can take just one person to make a difference and change your trajectory towards success and what you are seeking to do with your life, if it's career success or personal fulfillment.

That one person can be the one thing that makes it all go in the right direction.

So, thankfully for me, I had that person in my life and I always strive to be the person for someone else when I can.

So, again, thank you again for this award.

Caroline Amiguet: Thank you so much to the San Diego Film Consortium and to Judy Cilley for their hard work for the past decade.

To be awarded such award as the My Power of One is an incredible surprise and it means a lot to me.

Thank you Sue Vicory for creating such meaningful category and for all you do to help others.

You are a true force.

So, I can think of an award that has more of a meaningful name.

We can do a lot as a community, but it all starts with individuals.

In a time of war when we often think we are powerless, the My Power of One Award reminds us that it all starts by one person who can have a huge impact or make a difference in someone's life simply by giving them the chance to be seen or heard.

Actually, we all act as a reflection of one another.

So, this award is as much mine as yours.

To one another, my power of one, thank you.

Merci beaucoup.

Jodi: The human memory is a funny thing.

We can vividly recall tiny details from moments that leave a lasting impression.

I was incredibly honored to receive the very first My Power of One Award.

Sue Vicory from Heartland Film presented it and, well, let's just say the moment was a whirlwind.

I remember the backstage chaos, the cold air, the sudden chorus of crew yelling, "Jodi, Jodi, go on stage."

Then, there I was, trophy in hand, and I was gently being nudged towards the microphone.

Jodi: Wow.

I have a drink in my hand and tape in the other and they're pulling me in one direction.

I'm like, where are we going?

What happened?

Jodi: Walking back, my first thought was maybe a little bit dramatic.

Winning an award at your own award show?

Not a good look.

I believe the real stars of that night, besides Sue Vicory, of course, were the incredible artists who designed my dress and did my hair and makeup.

Thanks to them, I will forever look fabulous in those award ceremony, photos.

The nominees for Best Hair and Makeup are-- male announcer: Mariel Romero and Marcela Alfaro for, "Carly."

Carly: You are putting the future of our world in danger.

male announcer: Sandy Nissou, John Aviles, and Elizabeth Lawson for, "Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea."

Liz: A hero to these people.

It was my duty to protect.

male announcer: Athena Gunter for, "Kade."

Kade: I'm tired.

I feel like s-- male announcer: Nichole Hobbs and Jake Jackson for, "The Last Butterflies."

Nikki Powell for, "Lockdown."

[laughing] male: Ah!

♪♪♪♪♪ ♪♪♪♪♪ Jodi: And the winner is Mariel Romero and Marcela Alfaro for, "Carly."

Mariel Romero: Muchisimas gracias, San Diego Film Awards, for this prestigious award.

I would like to thank our producer, one of our writers, lead actors, and good friend, Shelly Ro, for trusting me and selecting me to do the makeup on this short.

I had an absolute blast working alongside Marcela and the rest of the cast and crew in our hometown of Tijuana.

Cheers to all of the hard working women in hair and makeup artistry, especially those of you working in the horror and sci-fi film genre.

You are, and will continue to be, one of my greatest creative inspirations.

Thank you once more.

Barbarella Pardo: I have worked in the film industry for 35 years.

For the past 25 years, I've been casting actors in productions, film, in Baja California, Mexico City, and Los Angeles.

I'm also a producer and one of my projects, the music video for, "This is Not America," by renowned Puerto Rican artist, Residente, won a Latin Grammy in 2023.

The experience of waiting for the award results at the Las Vegas Show was nerve-wracking, but winning pushed me to work harder on every production since.

[speaking foreign language] This is the unique power of awards.

They can inspire winners, and even those who don't win, to reach new heights and continue creating exceptional work.

The nominees for Best Supporting Actress are-- male announcer: Nicole Clifford for, "Glass Casa."

male: Yeah, that'll pass.

Bianca: You poisoned us.

[chuckling] [coughing] male announcer: Becca Godinez for, "Pandemic Bread."

female: I can disagree with her decision.

Remedios: I can still say no.

male announcer: Laura Bohlin for, "Red Blooded."

Kate Baumann: Two when they got here.

Lois: I didn't know that.

Kate: Well, you should.

You should know.

Get to know who it is you're gonna destroy.

♪♪♪♪♪ Barbarella: And the winner is Laura Bohlin for, "Red Blooded."

Laura Bohlin: Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart and the depths of my car.

Barbarella: Award shows.

They're a bit like family reunions, right?

A little chaotic, some questionable outfit choices, and everyone has their opinion.

The internet loves to complain about award shows, but here's the thing.

This night aren't about the critics or the online excitement, they're about celebrating the artist who dedicate their lives to this craft.

Think about it.

The blood, sweat, and tears that go into every film, every performance.

And speaking of blood, sweat, and tears, the nominees for Best Stunt and Choreography are-- male announcer: Garrett Glassell for "Kade."

[grunting] Kevin Waczek for, "Lockdown."

[grunting] Fernando Jay Huerto and Gabrielle Perrea for, "Lunch Break."

♪♪♪♪♪ Michael Delano for, "Sunset Drive."

♪♪♪♪♪ male: S--, woman.

You're gonna blow my head off.

♪♪♪♪♪ Barbarella: And the winner is Michael Delano for, "Sunset Drive."

Michael Delano: Thank you so much, San Diego Film Awards.

We are just humbled to receive Best Stunt and Choreography for, "Sunset Drive."

Definitely shout out to our stunt drivers, Emile Bouret and Zach Placik, they're super talented and just did amazing, all the amazing things you saw on screen for us in the cars, and to our first AD, Tim Dennen, and Loan Thatch, our producer, for planning everything out so well and keeping us safe, and hopefully it came through how much fun we had making this and shooting this and I just hope it inspires someone else to go out and make something that's as fun for them to make so we can all see it when they're done.

Thanks again, San Diego Film Awards.

So honored.

Thank you.

Maya: Let's face it.

Awards shows are exciting, but they're not everything.

Despite receiving many journalism awards and numerous Emmy nominations, I've actually only been the recipient of one Emmy Award and she's so pretty.

Come on, guys, throw me a bone here.

As a journalist and a storyteller, every day is an opportunity I get to tell authentic, impactful stories, engage people, and ultimately create change in our local San Diego community.

The act of doing that work is not something that we do for accolades, but sometimes the honor of receiving awards, or even the disappointment of not winning, lights the next fire.

Now, that's the spirit, San Diego.

And the Spirit of San Diego Award nominees are-- male announcer: "The Master Chief," directed by Chris Soriano.

male: Where's Rosario?

male: No idea, Master Chief.

male: Think we can pull this off?

announcer: "Los Ayeres de Hoy," directed by Emilia Perez Rocha Santos.

Professor Moreno: See, in the past, students fought really hard to be able to take courses like this.

male announcer: "The Other Side," directed by Angel Gomez.

[speaking foreign language] ♪♪♪♪♪ Maya: And the winner is, "The Master Chief," directed by Chris Soriano.

Chris Soriano: Wow, we're very grateful to win this Spirit of San Diego Award.

To win this, it just, it means a lot to us because every movie we've made, we've made it here, and being born and raised here, to get this type of award, it just inspires us to keep making movies here and, ultimately, bring all of Hollywood down here, inspire them to make projects here.

So, I hope this inspires you to be proud of your city, because I know we are.

Thank you.

Randy: Now I want to say a few final words about this whole awards concept.

Are they necessary?

Do they really matter?

Well, all I can say is that making movies is hard work.

I should know because I appear in one every weekend.

Lots of people dream big, but fall short.

Sometimes, just knowing that someone sees your effort, knowing that they care, that's enough to make it all worthwhile.

Award shows are a tradition that might just be worth keeping around.

Speaking of traditions, there's one little secret about award shows that most people don't know.

The host can actually hear everything.

Better luck next time.

You look fantastic in that dress.

I think you may have a drinking problem.

Thank you for joining us for the 10th Annual San Diego Film Awards.

Tonight's show just wouldn't be the same without your nervous manic energy.

male: Are you saying my wife has nervous manic energy?

Randy: I don't even know who your wife is.

male: That's the last straw.

audience: Oh!

Randy: That's a slap.

And that's a wrap for another incredible San Diego Film Awards.

To all the nominees and winners, a massive congratulations.

Your dedication and passion are truly inspiring.

And to all of you in the audience, thank you for joining us tonight.

And is there a doctor in the house?

Good night, everyone.

♪♪♪♪♪ ♪♪♪♪♪ ♪♪♪♪♪ ♪♪♪♪♪