FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BEGLEITER NAMED BEST FAMILY SHORT ON THE BIG ISLAND

May 20, 2007

WAIKOLOA, HAWAII - The Golden Honu for Best Family Short was awarded to first-time writer/producer/director Dan Margules for his short film "Begleiter" at an awards brunch held this morning at the Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort as the 2nd annual Big Island Film Festival came to a close.

The charming 27-minute film, which also won a Golden Oosik last year at the 6th annual Anchorage International Film Festival, follows the adventures of an orphaned dog named Happy in search of a new master.

The San Diego-based family film starring Aleisha Russell and John Henry Litten screened Friday night at the Ohana venue on a giant outdoor screen at the King's Shops.

"I was surprised that 'Begleiter' won in the family category because I didn't set out to make a film with a family audience in mind," says Margules of his movie, which includes a shot of full-frontal nudity in one scene. "I'm gratified that the film festivals are recognizing that audiences of all ages are connecting with the story."

The Golden Honu for Best Family Feature went to Rick Stevenson's "Expiration Date," about a 24-year-old Native American dealing with the inevitble family curse that caused both his father and grandfather to be killed by milk trucks on their respective 25th birthdays. The comedy also won the Audience Choice award for Best Feature.

The Audience Choice award for Best Short went to local filmmaker Alison Teal Blehert-Koehn for her USC thesis film, "Rita," which re-enacts an adventure from her childhood with a Sherpa girl in the Himalayas.

"Rita" and "Expiration Date" will have encore screenings tonight at the Hilton following a live concert performance by Grammy nominated slack key guitarist Makana.

"The hospitality of [festival directors] Leo and Jan Sears has been outstanding," says Margules of his first visit to the Big Island. "I had such a great time at this festival."

Back home, Margules is president of San Diego Filmmakers, a non-profit networking organization for local filmmakers which holds monthly events with such notable guest speakers as actor Doug Jones ("Hellboy," "Pan's Labyrinth"), composer Larry Groupé ("Commander in Chief"), and producer/director Bob Misiorowski ("Tombstone," "Children of Glory").

"Begleiter" can be seen all summer long as part of the "For the Love of Dogs" exhibit at the Cornell Museum in Delray Beach, Florida. The film features a cameo appearance by Ken Osmond, best known as Eddie Haskell from "Leave it to Beaver," and an original score by Alphonse Mouzon of the pioneering fusion band Weather Report.

Additional Information:
Big Island Film Festival - bigislandfilmfestival.com
"Begleiter" - happy-the-dog.com
San Diego Filmmakers - sdfilmmakers.org
Cornell Museum - oldschool.org
"Expiration Date" - expirationdatethemovie.com