Winners of 10th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival announced

The 10th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival drew record numbers to the area for the four-day event, organizers say.

The festival, held Feb. 10-13, drew approximately 12,426 people who attended some part of the four-day celebration, according to a news release. Attendance exceeded the record set in 2015 by more than 2000.

Records also were set for average screening attendance and single screening attendance.

In addition, North Myrtle Beach native, television host, fashion icon and philanthropist Vanna White was presented the “Spirit & Pride of South Carolina Award” at the festival’s awards ceremony held Saturday night.

The award is presented annually to a person who is a native or longtime South Carolinian whose body of work in the film, television or music industries reflects positively on themselves and the Palmetto State.

Other top awards went to Justin D. Roberts, former Army captain and chaplain, for his film “No Greater Love.” Justin was presented with the prestigious “Santini Patriot Spirit Award.” The award is presented to a filmmaker whose work honors American armed forces, veterans or their families.

The festival also awarded sound mixer Jonathan Gaynor with the “Behind the Scenes Award.”

Other winners included:

- Best Feature: “Keep In Touch” directed by Sam Kretchmar, New York, N.Y.

- Best Documentary: “Daylight Come” directed by Evan Vetter, Wilmington, N.C.

- Best Short Film: “Pardon the Intrusion” directed by Louise Caruna Galizia, United Kingdom

- Best Student Film: “Danny Freud” directed by Madliene Rae Painter, University of North Carolina, School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, N.C.

- Best Comedy: “The Gunfighter” directed by Eric Kissack, Los Angeles, Calif.

- Best Animation: “Chiaroscuro” directed by Daniel Drummond, Sao Luis, Brazil

- Best Screenplay: “Attic Ashes” written by Lorraine Portman, St. Augustine, Fla.

- Best Actress: Maritza Brikisak, Los Angeles, Calif., for “A Prayer for the Lonely”

- Best Actor: Hoyt Richards Los Angeles, Calif., for “Intersection”

- Best Director: Sam Kretchmar, New York, N.Y. for “Keep In Touch”

- Audience Choice: “Interwoven” by director V.W. Scheich, producer Uyen Le, Beaufort, S.C.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 11:16 AM with the headline "Winners of 10th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival announced."