The first time’s the charm for Diego Rougier…
The 42-year-old Argentine director’s first feature length film Sal has won the grand prize at New York’s inaugural First Time Fest (FTF).
The film festival, hosted by the historic Players Club, honors debut films from prominent newcomers throughout the world. This year’s festival attendees and participants included Martin Scorsese, Sofia Coppola, Darren Aronofsky and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
As the grand prize winner, Sal – the first western in Chilean motion picture history – will be offered theatrical distribution, as well as international sales representation through distributor Cinema Libre Studio.
Sal centers on a film director obsessed with making a western who decides to go to Northern Chile in search of a story for his screenplay. Being confused with another, a real adventure begins. It stars Fele Martínez, Patricio Contreras and Sergio Hernández.
In addition, the modern-day western earned the film’s cinematographer, David Bravo, the award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography. The judges awarded the Bravo the prize for his “beautiful cinematography with rich details, surprising touches, and a sense of humor.”
Here’s the complete list of First Time Fest award winners:
Grand Prize Winner: SAL Written And Directed By Diego Rougier (Chile/Argentina)
FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Directing: Amelie Van Elmbt (Headfirst / La Tete La Premiere)
FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Writing: (TIE) Max Weissberg (Summertime)
FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting: Neal Bledsoe (Junction)
FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting: Alice De Lencquesaing (Headfirst / La Tete La Premiere)
FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: David Bravo (Sal)
FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Editing: Jonah Marin, John Young (Zipper)
FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scoring: Martin Bossa and Tomas Carnelli (I Love You All / Los Quiero A Todos)
John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema: Darren Aronofsky