CouryGraph Productions Reels in a Grand Festival Award at the 2009 Berkeley Video & Film Festival

Ed Sharpe Director at CouryGraph productions, has received a BERKELEY VIDEO & FILM FESTIVAL 2009 Grand Festival Award for the entry "IN THE GRIP OF THE COLD" .

The East Bay Media Center proudly presents the 18th Edition of the Berkeley Video & Film Festival, screening in Downtown Berkeley at Landmark’s Shattuck Cinemas - 2113 Kitteredge at Shattuck in Downtown Berkeley California September 25 and 26.

The exact time of Sharpe's film screening will be: Saturday night at 11:52pm
-But there is so much to see...To see all the Berkeley Video & Film Festival
Official Selections and the Program Schedule go to: http://berkeleyvideofilmfest.org/

One production that caught Sharpe's eye is a documentary "YOU DON’T KNOW JACK: THE JACK SOO STORY" By JEFF ADACHI

Jeff Adachi, director of the documentary The Slanted Screen, which examined the history of Asian-Americans in Hollywood, takes on the life story of singer and comedic actor Jack Soo. From his childhood in Oakland to his young adulthood in Japanese internment camps during World War II-era, and finally to his breakthrough roles in Flower Drum Song, Valentine’s Day and Barney Miller, the erstwhile Goro Suzuki’s brave refusal to comply with America’s "oriental" stereotypes almost single-handedly broke the mold, recasting Asian Americans in a new light in our popular entertainment. 69 minutes. Screens Saturday at 1:15pm Grand Festival Award

A few other that jumped off the page for us here at the planet were: Curses and Sermons, Under My Garden, Behind The Wheel, Karma Calling, Words of Advice and The Devil At Your Feet... But Wait! There Is more! See the complete list at the BVFF website!

Sharpe stated : "The mix of documentaries, features, shorts, works by young producers, experimental films and more rivals any of the festivals I normally attend." He continued "It is unbelievable Valpour and his group can offer this entertainment at a $13 dollar a day pass rate!"

Being able to interact with producers, directors and cinematographers is what makes attending a live screening like this a great event.

"We're amazed by the quality of the creative work shown at the festival" said Sharpe. "We're honored that our production were chosen to be screened and also to receive a prestigious award."

CouryGraph Productions competed against filmmakers from the Bay area and also those that participated internationally.

Festival Director Mel Vapour stated: "Over 150 submissions were received and juried this year and the quality of this year's submissions was extremely high and competitive for the final screenings. The screening / jury committee feels it has selected works that reflect the highest artistic integrity of all the submissions. " (see the link to the list on BVFF site to see all of the productions that will screen)

Vapour continued "Since our previous BVFF, we have witnessed a regime change in Washington, and a global economic collapse, however, the spirit of indie cinema prevails, as witnessed by this years remarkable filmmakers and their substantive creative endeavors."

Sharpe regularly participates in Film Festivals internationally as well as his home base of Arizona. When he is not out directing creative dramatic works, he is going though the same process with fact filled news reporting for the metro Westside - 'Valley of the Sun' in Arizona.

Sharpe stated: "With all the new growth in the west valley it presents an ever evolving canvas for my camera to record." He continued: "The new world-class Stadium and other sports facilities, new shopping districts, fascinating constructions projects... it is a newsman's heaven!"

Sharpe enjoys works of whimsy such as the Cam Stryker series. Sharpe states, " Cam Stryker allows me to let my imagination fly while at the same time incorporating some of my thoughts and ideas..." Sharpe adds,: "Works of fiction allow my wife Bette and I to collaborate starting from the rudiments of a story idea and though all the processes leading up to the final screening,"

"Ed Sharpe's "In The Grip Of the Cold" is a 'snotty' glimpse of a fallen media warrior from the flu 'bugs'. No trophy is safe, from the green phlegm spewing from his proboscis. This is all in good fun, and his acting talents improve with each short he makes. After all, he's a TV media veteran that's out in the field daily, 'cept when the bugs attack." - Mel Vapour, Director BVFF

Ed Sharpe and CouryGraph Productions dramatic and video news reporting can be seen at www.glendaledailyplanet.com In addition there are email links at the site to contact Sharpe and his group.

To see all the Berkeley Video & Film Festival Official Selections and the Program Schedule go to: http://berkeleyvideofilmfest.org/

Screening September 25, and 26
Continuous Screenings Start at - 7:30pm Friday . 12:00am Saturday . 1:00pm
Friday, September 25, 2009 and Saturday, September 26, 2009
Landmark Shattuck Cinemas . 2230 Shattuck Avenue in Downtown Berkeley

TICKETS
Tickets. $13. General Admission. $10. Students . Elders.
All tickets are valid for the entire day and evening.
Tickets available at the Landmark Shattuck Cinemas Box Office
2230 Shattuck Avenue . Downtown Berkeley . Box Office . 510.464.5980
Festival Info . 510.843.3699 www.berkeleyvideofilmfest.org
BVFF Ticket holders and attendees: Please plan to arrive at least ten minutes prior to any listed film(s) during our marathon continuous screening schedule, to insure seating and to allow for programming offsets.

BERKELEY VIDEO & FILM FESTIVAL 2009
An Independent Cinematic Marathon BVFF’s two day event this year, features outstanding and challenging independent new cinema from Italy, Cuba, Germany, Venezuela, Great Britain, and the USA, as well as, 15 local San Francisco Bay Area Filmmakers being represented.

Contact:
Ed Sharpe
Glendale Daily Planet
Glendale, AZ
623 435 1522
couryhouse@aol.com
http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com