CouryGraph Productions Reels in 2 Grand Festival Awards at the 2008 Berkeley Video & Film Festival

Ed Sharpe Director at CouryGraph productions, has received 2 Grand Festival Awards for their entries The Laura Graff Hit and run - Search for the Driver and The Legend of the Evil Count Spatula.

The East Bay Media Center proudly presents the 17th Edition of the Berkeley Video & Film Festival, screening in Downtown Berkeley at Landmark’s Shattuck Cinemas. Bettering even last year's lineup, we are impressed by the quality and diversity of topic and entertainment presented this year.

Screening September 26, 27 and 28 Continuous Screenings Start at - 7:30pm Friday . 1:00pm Saturday . 1:00pm Sunday

These entries will screen at at The Berkeley Video & Film Festival which will have it's public screening September 26, 27 and 28 at Landmark's California Theatre 2113 Kitteredge at Shattuck in Downtown Berkeley California.

The exact times of Sharpe's film screening will be:

Saturday - 1:56pm - "Laura Graff Hit & Run Accident - Search for The Driver" - Ed Sharpe - Documentary - 0:37
Sunday - 1:27pm - "The Legend of the Evil Count Spatula" - Ed Sharpe - Comedy - 2:32

These two films are just two very small offerings out if the many excellent productions that will be screened.

One production that Sharpe is looking forward to viewing is"Stop The Presses: The American Newspaper in Peril" - Mark Birnbaum & Manny Mendoza - 80:00 - This documentary should be mandatory viewing for any student or persons working in journalism today. Interviews with the publishers and editors of the largest U.S. papers indicate the future demise of this traditional medium. Co-Producer Manny Mendoza will answer questions following the films screening.

The Global Premiere of "Rebel Roar: The Sound of Michael McClure", a short Art Documentary of the Bay Area’s reknowned Poet and Playright, Michael McClure, produced by Kurt Hemmer and Tom Knoff of Harper College, advances the cause of all that is Beat and Hip and gives insight and inspiration. This is a ‘must-see’ cinematic marvel, with America’s greatest living poet, Michael McClure. McClure and Hemmer will answer questions following the film.

Sharpe states : "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 increase each year of the quality of the creative work shown at the festival" said Sharpe. "We're honored that our productions were chosen to be screened and also to receive 2 prestigious awards."

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

Festival Director Mel Vapour stated: "Over 200 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)

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's first production showing Saturday at 1:56pm is "Laura Graff Hit & Run Accident - Search for The Driver" a 37 second news - Documentary

Mel Vapour, Director at BVFF sums it up best: "The Emmy® Award Winning, Glendale Arizona news gatherer, Ed Sharpe, is once again on the scene for this short news spot in the heinous hit and run accident involving local resident Laura Graff, Sharpe's daily news-webcasts are legendary and award winning in Arizona and beyond." -

The second production, the West coast premier of "The Legend of the Evil Count Spatula" - a Comedy - 2:32 showing at: Sunday - 1:27pm was the team effort of three people. Ed and Bette Sharpe directed - produced - edited and Ed even puts in a brief acting appearance in this film with Jenifer Reeves, consultant to CouryGraph Productions, assisting Bette Sharpe in the script department.

Mel Vapour, Director, BVFF states: "Sharpe takes the literal challenge of making a common kitchen utensil into an epic maelstrom of comedic proportions"

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/
Press Release Submission by PressReleasePoint

Contact:
Ed Sharpe
GlendaleDailyPlanet.com
Glendale, AZ
623 435 1522
info@glendaledailyplanet.com
http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com