FESTIVAL NEWS!

May 17, 2008 - BEGLEITER screened at the prestigious Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs, California, for about 200 members of the Desert Film Society. Writer/Producer/Director Dan Margules was in attendance and conducted a Q&A session at the end of a program of amazing shorts from around the world. Also this month, THREE audio commentary tracks have been recorded for the upcoming Special Edition DVD of BEGLEITER. Stay tuned for more information. In May 2007, BEGLEITER was projected onto a giant outdoor screen beside the bay at the King's Shops in the beautiful Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Despite its scenes of full-frontal nudity, BEGLEITER was awarded the Golden Honu for BEST FAMILY SHORT on May 20 at the Big Island Film Festival. The good news continued the next day when BEGLEITER won a cash prize of $500 as first runner up in an online competition where it was voted on by over 3,500 viewers at PetStyle.com. In December 2006, BEGLEITER screened to capacity crowds at the 6th annual Anchorage International Film Festival. The Saturday night showing of the "Funny Bone" program proved so popular it had to be added to a second screen that night, in addition to its scheduled encore performance the following Thursday night (according to the Anchorage Daily News). On Saturday, December 9, it was announced that "Begleiter" won the festival's Golden Oosik Award for BEST SHORT! November 11, 2007: At its New York premiere, BEGLEITER was NOMINATED for the Queens Spirit Award for Best Domestic Short. It was one of only three films nominated out of 21 eligible shorts shown in competition. September 16, 2007: BEGLEITER was not only an official selection at the inaugural Southern Winds Film Festival in beautiful downtown Shawnee, Oklahoma, it was also among six prestigious films NOMINATED for Best Short Narrative! Although the film did not win this award, I am proud to announce the prize instead went to my friend Lou Pappas for his film "The Halls Of Jacob." Aleisha and I met this award-winning filmmaker when our films played at the Delray Beach Film Festival in Florida in March. Congratulations to Lou!

THE CRITICS LOVE BEGLEITER!

We got our first official review in September 2006 and it's a 4-star rave! J.C. Maçek III of worldsgreatestcritic.com says, "I love this movie. Begleiter won my heart and I don't care who knows!" It is extremely gratifying to hear that someone truly "gets it." All our hard work paid off. Congratulations to my cast and crew for this recognition. See more of the review here.

April 2007: Begleiter's canine star Spencer is featured in a 3-page profile in the Spring issue of The Ridgeback Register with an additional full-page bonus sidebar on Begleiter!

January 14, 2007: A profile of me and the film was featured in the Arts section of today's San Diego Union-Tribune!

R.I.P. SPENCER

June 18, 2007 - It was learned today that Spencer, the Rhodesian Ridgeback who played the lead role of Happy the Dog in the award-winning film "Begleiter" passed away last week of undetermined causes. He was seven years old and his full name was Ch. Oakhurst Mountain Maverick, SC, VCD1, CDX, SC, RN, ET, VC.

Spencer finished his conformation championship at the Palm Springs shows by going Best of Winners, and then won Best of Breed the following day, defeating many deserving nationally ranked dogs, including his sire. He took first place in jumpers and weavers at the 2004 RRCUS National in Texas. He won Best in Field at the Orange Coast Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Specialty Coursing event, at Spencer's very first trial. The registered therapy dog was also the first Ridgeback to earn the AKC VCD1 obedience, agility, and tracking award. Spencer is featured in a 4-page article in the current issue of The Ridgeback Register.

Condolences can be sent to Spencer's owner, Maril Suess, at P.O. Box 772, Pine Valley, CA 91962.