Hagerstown, MD (PRWEB) April 23, 2014 -- The Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown (MDIFF-H) announced that A-list director and writer Joe Carnahan will be the recipient of this year’s Mendez Award on opening night May 1, 2014. MDIFF Vice President, Tracie Hovey, said “Joe Carnahan has supported film in our community since the inception of the festival. He made attending the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown a significant event for the film industry. We certainly can’t thank him enough for the support of this festival and for his support of the independent filmmakers around the world.”
Joe Carnahan is best known for “The Blacklist”(2014), "The Grey" (2011), "The A-Team" (2010), "Smokin' Aces" (2006), and "Narc" (2002). Carnahan has worked with some of the hottest celebrities in Hollywood over the past several years. Actors including Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Ryan Reynolds, Ben Affleck, Jessica Biel, and Ray Liotta have lined up to work with Carnahan. He is one of the most prolific filmmakers in Hollywood today that spans both film and television.
Hovey said, “Joe Carnahan may work with some of the most powerful people in Hollywood but he is still the most genuine and gracious person to be around. Getting celebrities to attend any film festival in its first year is nearly impossible. In our festival's inaugural year, Joe Carnahan not only attended, but he also brought another celebrity with him, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Then in 2013, Joe partnered with the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown's Board of Directors to serve as Creative Director. He has continued this role of Creative Director throughout the 2014 festival and words cannot express how grateful we are to have his support!”
Joe Carnahan said, “I’m happy to be involved with the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown. It is a terrific opportunity to assist in the growth of the independent film industry. I enjoy giving back to the community and lending my expertise to a great cause.”
Last year, MDIFF-H hosted Tony Mendez and the Oscar award winning film “Argo” for the opening night celebration. The MDIFF-H board also presented the inaugural “Mendez Award” to Tony Mendez for his contribution to film with his book “The Master of Disguise.”
MDIFF-H 2014 is scheduled to run over three days and will screen over 60 films from around the globe. All screenings will take place Downtown Hagerstown. The screening will be held at the Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life, and Academy Theater from May 1-3.
Sponsors for the film festival include the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ovation PR & Advertising, Washington County Maryland, The City of Hagerstown, Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life, Academy Theater, Anderson Photographs, Thompson Gas, Washington County Arts Council, 28 South, Broad Ax, Bowman Hospitality, Tom Riford, Volvo, and Kaplan University.
The MDIFF-H mission is to be a platform for independent filmmakers to engage audiences, collaborate with other filmmakers and educate the community with the celebration of film. The Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown: Watch the Films. Talk to the Filmmakers. Support independent artists. For more information about MDIFF please call 916-712-2781, email Tracie(at)marylandiff(dot)com or access the website http://www.marylandiff.com.
Director Joe Carnahan To Be Presented With Mendez Award at the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown
Tracie Hovey, Ovation PR & Advertising, http://www.ovationpr.net, +1 916-712-2781, [email protected]
Share this article