Asian Film Reels in Prestigious Grant

A survivor of Cambodias infamous Killing Fields seeks to heal himself, and his country, by reviving a cultural tradition on the brink of extinction

Asian Film Reels in Prestigious Grant

A survivor of Cambodias infamous Killing Fields seeks to heal himself, and his country, by reviving a cultural tradition on the brink of extinction

New York- The most sought after, clambered for, competitive film grant revealed the winner after extensive deliberation from the judges. The Roy W. Dean film grant today announced the annual winner of the award of over $50,000 in goods and services to Christine Courtney and Jocelyn Glatzer for their documentary The Flute Player", a story about Cambodian Arn Chorn Pond, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge genocide of 1975 to 1979, whose flute was taken away and replaced by a gun. Pond was then forced to fight with the very people who killed his family.

Imagine New York City losing all its music halls, all its musical instruments, and almost every professional musician. Thats what happened to us...and more."
--Arn Chorn Pond

The winning filmmakers out nosed rising stars Hiroyasu Kitagawa., Dominick R. Domingo, Deborah Shaffer, and Purvee Christie among others. Kitagawa, also a Japanese novelist, who has been compared to Kafka and Kurasawa, applauds the winners. I congratulate the filmmakers. Their film spotlights what Cambodia has lost as a culture by politics. The judges have made a good choice."

The Roy W. Dean grants beginning was over 25 years ago when Mr. Dean privately began making generous contributions to struggling filmmakers in need of funds to finish their films. Now, known by filmmakers worldwide, the grant has had hundreds of competitors vying for the prestigious 'top spot on the podium of crowning glory and the prestige that accompanies being a past Roy W. Dean film grant recipient. This always stays with you throughout youre career as a filmmaker" says Glatzer. Its like winning the Oscar of film grant awards" agrees Courtney.

Carole Dean president and CEO of the grant will bestow the awards to the winners. I just wanted to thank all of the participants in this tremendously competitive race, and all of the sponsors that have turned this tiny seed of an idea into a dream come true, says Carole Dean

Grant sponsors include AAA communications, Able Cine Tech, Bobbie Robinson Music, Cineric, Edgewise, Kodak, Metro Access, Magno, Screenplay Systems, Sound Dimensions, Tape House NY, Tiffen, Ces Fou and Unilux.

For information on our $100,000.00 editing grant and our new writing/research grant see www.fromtheheartproductions.com for full details.