One Out of Four for 5th Quarter

 Massapequa resident Rick Bieber's film "The 5th Quarter" won only one quarter of the awards it was nominated for at the Long Island International Film Expo.

But the trophy it did take home was a big one. The film won for best feature shot on 35 millimeter film Sunday night at the Awards Ceremony held at the Bellmore Movie Theater.

Andy Mendelson, the film's music composer who accepted the award on Bieber's behalf, said that although the director was out of town shooting his new movie, Bieber is thrilled to win the award.

"The 5th Quarter" was nominated in four categories including Best Feature, Best Director of a Feature, and Best Story. It lost out to the Horror Film "Bereavement," which won both best feature and best feature director. "Last Day of Summer"  snagged the Best Story win.

The star filled awards ceremony honored actress Cathy Moriarty who received the Long Island Creative Achievement Award in  recognition for her distinguished acting career. Moriarty has stared in numerous films including "Raging Bull,"         " Soapdish, " "Mambo Kings," "Analyze That" and "The Bounty Hunter." Actor Amand Assante  who starred in such films as "Gotti," " Hoffa" and "American Gangster" was also presented with an acting award, which he accepted via videotape, because he was overseas.

The ceremony was co-hosted by comedian Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling and actor Brian O'Halloran  of "Clerks" fame, who kept the laughter going and the energy flowing through the two hour awards show.

Perhaps the funniest moments of the night came when Director Stevan Mena  of Bellport,  accepted two awards for his horror film "Bereavement."  The director admitted the wins were so unexpected that he wore shorts and flip flops to the awards ceremony... prompting numerous jokes and back and forth banter from host O'Halloran about his casual attire. "Put some pants on at an awards show son..."  he joked. 

Other big winners included "Maggie Marvel", which won "Audience Award for Best Feature." The film was from last year's Best Feature winners the Brennan Family from Port Washington. Maggie Marvel won three awards for best actor, audience pick for best feature and best supporting actress. Perhaps the most emotional acceptance speech of the night was given by 11 year old best supporting actress winner Diana Brennan, who proclaimed through tears of joy that her sister had won the same award last year for the Brennan's first film "The Video Guys".

"Purgatory Comics", the first feature film by Lake Grove resident Ralph Suarez, won best Long Island Feature. "Mildred Richards" a unique "radio play turned into a movie" won for best Student Film and Best Actress. "The Last Day of Summer" grabbed the Best Story win.

Award winners list:

 Best Student Film – Mildred Richards

Best Short 35 mm – Clemency

Best Short Film – Cemetery Club

Best Long Island Short – Bedfellows

Best Long Island Feature – Purgatory Comics

Alan Fortunoff Humanitarian Film Award – Hindsight

Best Foreign Short Film – Predilection

Best Foreign Feature Film – Polygamy

Best First Short Film – Poetry Man

Best First Feature – Drawing with Chalk

Best Feature 35 mm – The 5^{th Quarter}

Best Feature Film – Bereavement

Best Documentary – Miracle Ball

Best Director of a Short Film – Clemency – Joseph Albanese

Best Director of a Feature Film – Bereavement

Best Story – The Last Day of Summer

Best Animation – Skylight

Jury Prize Best Feature – A Little Help

Audience Award – Maggie Marvel

Gold Pass Award – Jackie Robinson: My Life

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