This year for its 23rd year, Out on Film announced awards. The Audience Award winners will be announced Thursday at closing night.
This is the first year the fest has had Jury Awards. And the winners are:
Best Film
(tie)
“Howl”
“Children of God”
Best Actor
Johnny Ferro, “Children of God”
Runner-up: James Franco, “Howl”
Best Actress
(tie)
Maxine Peake, “The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister”
Dreya Weber, “A Marine Story”
Best Director
(tie)
James Kent, “The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister”
Kareem Mortimer, “Children of God”
One of the judges for Out on Film, Atlanta Magazine writer Rich Eldredge, snagged an interview with Best Actor Johnny Ferro and asked him about beating out James Franco, star of blockbuster movies including “Milk” and “Spider Man.”
“’Howl’ is an amazing film. I can’t honestly say that I’m more deserving of the award than James Franco. But I will say it feels great!” the modest actor gushed.
“Children of God” is the story of anti-gay hate in Caribbean societies and trying to find love.
Ferro also talked to Eldredge of the dangers the film crew faced sometimes while on location, including being asked to leave a church after locals found out the film dealt with gay issues. Read the entire interview here.
“Children of God” will have an encore run on Thursday at 1:45 p.m. at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Dr NE # C212, Atlanta, GA 30308.
Top photo: ‘Howl’ tied for best picture at this year’s Out on Film festival (courtesy photo)