Help Wanted Takes Top Honors at 5th Elevate Film Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 11, 2008 -- Los Angeles, CA - On October 5th, 2008, the Elevate Film Festival premiered its 5th annual event exclusively at the 7,100-seat Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles, and a film about 2 Mexican-American car mechanics took home 3 awards. Following Elevate’s unique guidelines, this 10 ½ minute film was made in 7 days, with merely 1 further day for writing the screenplay.

"Help Wanted" won awards for Best Narrative Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Director.

Not a traditional film fest, ELEVATE is a global film competition where over 20 filmmakers are challenged to produce top-notch short documentaries, narratives, music videos and commercials about issues affecting our world today within a seven-day timeline. Issues include the environment, water supply, self-empowerment and world peace. These bold and timely subjects are intended to open hearts, challenge views, and elevate the human spirit for the purpose of positive social change.

“Help Wanted” was directed by Teo Guardino with Michael Lynch as director of photography, and produced by Jamie Bullock, Michel Bayan, Francis DellaVecchia and Jay J. Milla, with screenplay by Gabriel DellaVecchia. The film was written in one day, while locations were being scouted. It was shot over 3 days, at the Daniel Fierro auto repair center in Pacoima, and a private residence in Hollywood. All post-production was completed in 4 days, under the supervision of editor Ira Flowers. Shot on the Red One digital camera, the image quality was simply amazing when projected on the 65 foot Nokia Theatre screen.

The story centers on an older Mexican-American immigrant (Ramon, played by Javier Ronceros) who has lost his passion for living, and his faith in the American dream. A younger and more recent immigrant (Juan, played by Adam Pena) arrives, and the two of them rediscover some of what makes life worth living. This uplifting tale drew both tears and cheers from an enthralled audience.

“Help Wanted” is currently submitting to further festivals, and will be seeking distribution, so that a wide audience may experience this elevating tale. Said producer Francis DellaVecchia, “This was the most gratifying experience while making a film. The shoot ran incredibly smoothly. The volunteer crew was professional, upbeat, and the intention of the entire effort was evident in the product that made it to the screen. We couldn’t be more pleased that the judges and audience also acknowledged that feeling.”

The ELEVATE FILM FESTIVAL is the world's fastest growing fest, growing from 500 in 2005 to a crowd of over 6000 at the Nokia.

http://www.helpwantedfilm.com

See further coverage of the event at:

http://english.ntdtv.com/?c=256&a=5304
http://www.filmradar.com/articles/item/elevate_film_festival_all_tribes_unite/
http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/arts-entertainment/elevate-film-festival-green-carpet-5426.htmll

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