‘C’mon C’mon’ and ‘King Richard’ Tie for the Film Fest 919 Audience Award!

Moments ago, the fourth annual edition of Film Fest 919 announce their prestigious Audience Award winner. For the second time, the festival saw a tie. Yes, the 2021 incarnation of Film Fest 919 managed to continue breaking new ground! Sharing the coveted honor is C’mon C’mon and King Richard, the latter being their Opening Night title. Exclusively, I can report that a close third place finisher was Mass, showing just how eclectic the audience down in Chapel Hill is. Look out for my wrap up on the festival tomorrow, but today, check out the press release with this announcement below. To be sure, this is a nice boost for both movies.

Here now is the press release:

The 2021 Film Fest 919 was enthusiastically received this week as audiences began to venture out to the movies to enjoy 6 days of extraordinary and compelling independent film for their 4^th edition.  

“We were so happy to return to the theater and see these terrific movies together on the big screen,” commented founders Randi Emerman and Carol Marshall.  “Nothing beats seeing a movie with an audience, to feel the reaction of those around you and be able to talk about them afterwards…and we were able to do so safely!”

And the Film Fest 919 audience has spoken, voting both KING RICHARD and C’MON ‘CMON as the Audience Favorites.  

C’mon C’mon, written and directed by Mike Mills, stars Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann and Woody Norman, in this sublime look at adults coming to terms with the presence of kids in their lives.  Johnny (Phoenix) and his young nephew (Norman) forge a tenuous but transformational relationship when they are unexpectedly thrown together in this delicate and deeply moving story about the connections between adults and children, the past and the future.

King Richard, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and written by Zach Baylin, stars two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith as an undeterred father who, along with his family’s unwavering resolve and unconditional belief, delivers two of the world’s greatest sports legends: Venus and Serena Williams.

Closing night festivities began with a special presentation to Film Fest 919 founders Randi Emerman and Carol Marshall.  Milinda Jefferson, US Coast Guard veteran, Honor and Remember Celebrity Ambassador and Gold Star sister of SSG LeRoy Alexander (a Green Beret who was killed in action in Afghanistan) were gifted with mini-Honor and Remember flags and pins for their support to military families in the North Carolina region.  The Honor and Remember Flag is a visible public reminder to all Americans of the lives given to preserve freedom and a national symbol of appreciation recognizing the sacrifice of generations of fallen hero families.

Film Fest 919, which drew attendees from across the state and beyond, offered a roster of 23 incredible films representing 20 countries featuring some of the season’s top awards contenders and critical and audience favorites from Sundance, Tribeca, Venice, Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals.  

Film Fest 919 opened with a presentation of the Spotlight Award to songwriter DIANE WARREN, with a special laser show created by Orange County NC laser artist Sean Populorum to her hit tunes.  The 3^rd annual Distinguished Screenwriter Award was presented to co-screenwriters SEAN BAKER (who also directed) and CHRIS BERGOCH for their new film RED ROCKET, which was a Cannes Film Festival favorite, won the Critics Award and Jury Prize at the Deauville Film Festival and has so far been nominated for a Gotham Award…the first of what is sure to be many accolades! 

Congrats to C’mon C’mon and King Richard!