CENTRAL STANDARD FILM FESTIVAL (CSFF) WRAPS UP AND TAKES IT ON THE ROAD
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (October 2, 2003) IFP Minneapolis/ Saint Paul successfully wrapped the second annual Central
Standard Film Festival on September 21st. Attendance was up, added venues guaranteed more films, more
screenings, and more filmmakers attending this stellar line-up of regional American films. As we gather stories, share comments, regroup and look forward to next year, it's important to share some fast approaching Central Standard related items.

CSFF AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS
At this year's Central Standard Film Festival the audience voted for their choice for "Audience Awards" for both Narrative Feature and Documentary. Audiences voted by ballot at each screening to determine this year's winners. And the Central Standard Film Festival Audience Awards go to:

Kodak Narrative Feature Audience Award
NOSEY PARKER - Dir. John O'Brien

2003 Central Standard Film Festival
Documentary Feature Audience Award
THIS OBEDIENCE - Dirs. Jamie A. Lee and Dawn Mikkelson

CSFF ON THE ROAD

While the 2003 festival has concluded, Central Standard has branched out to several other Midwest locations. Director of Festival Programming Todd Hansen has just returned from Des Moines "Wild Rose Independent Film & Video Festival," where he programmed several 2003 CSFF favorites, including the Vermont based NOSEY PARKER and KWIK STOP from Chicago. He also programmed IFP MSP members' short films, including THE RETREAT, (Director Darin Heinis,) which won no less than 7 awards at the Wild Rose fest (see below.)

CSFF will return locally as a participant in the Rake's "Secrets of the City Festival" (October 12th-14th) at the Lagoon Theatre. Following that CSFF tours to Sauk Centre for the town's first ever Lake Wobegon Film Festival (October 17th-19th.)

IFP MSP Executive Director and Central Standard Film Festival Director, Jane Minton shares her enthusiastic appraisal of this year's fest, saying "IFP MSP is thrilled with this year's festival...we quadrupled our attendance and feedback from festival attendees is very positive. CSFF has validated the need for regional voices and we've confirmed the hunger for these films. The visiting filmmakers were rewarded with an enthusiastic audience response to their films. We're very pleased all the way around." Festival Programmer Todd Hansen adds, "Our filmmaking community was thrilled with the event. It was a great platform for them and a place to network and celebrate their work, as well as be inspired by the work of others. And the 21 visiting filmmakers were very impressed with their treatment, the audiences and Central Standard's mission. This pleases me to no end."

REPORT ON CSFF AT THE WILD ROSE INDEPENDENT FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL (SEPT. 26 - 28TH)

The Wild Rose Film Festival in Des Moines at the Vaudeville Mews went off Sept. 26 - 28th.
Films from CSFF that played - included opening night KWIK STOP and CSFF Audience Award winner NOSEY PARKER. IFP MSP member shorts that played included: Darin Heinis' THE RETREAT, William Scott Rees' BETSY BENSON AND THE BOW TIE BOY(s), Wyatt McDill's GARBAGE MAN, Cine-Magic's GAS 'N FUEL: EMPLOYEE TRAINING VIDEO #4A, Jon Nowak's SUSPENSION, Paul Essling's LITTLE DRUMMER BOY, Jeremy Plumb's GARFF FILMS and Joe Pickett's SAVING
HUMAN LIVES. Several were up for awards, but the big winners were Michael Gilio's KWIK STOP received awards for Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Acting Ensemble, and Best Director of a Feature , Darin Heinis's THE RETREAT received awards for Best Director of a Short, Best Short Film, Best Music, Best Sound, Best Cinematography and, Best Costumes and Make-Up. Also notable was Cine-Magic's GAS N' FUEL's four Honorable Mentions.

CSFF AT THE RAKE: SECRETS OF THE CITY FESTIVAL (OCTOBER 12TH-14TH)
If you saw them and loved them, or if you missed them at CSFF, here's another chance to see three of the hits from the Central Standard Film Festival:
All screenings at the Lagoon Theater at 9:30 PM (1320 Lagoon Avenue,
Minneapolis)
Sunday, Oct. 12th - KWIK STOP 9:30 PM
Monday, Oct. 13th - THE FLATS 9:30 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 14th - NOSEY PARKER CSFF Audience Award Winner 9:30 PM

CSFF AT THE LAKE WOBEGON FILM FESTIVAL IN SAUK CENTRE (OCTOBER 17TH-19TH)
The upcoming Lake Wobegon Film Festival is October 17th-19th at Sauk Centre at the Main Street Theater and will feature a screening of NOSEY PARKER (2003 CSFF Audience Award winner) on Friday and Saturday as well as a
program of IFP MSP members shorts from 9 am -12 pm on Saturday. IFP Minneapolis/Saint Paul's mission is to support and promote the work of artists who create screenplays, film, video, and photography in the Upper Midwest. The goal of the Central Standard Film Festival is tosupport and encourage regional American visions.

Check the festival web site for a photo gallery and year-long updates and news regarding the 2004 festival at
www.centralstandardfilmfest.com.

Sincere thanks to all audience members, filmmakers, and volunteers who helped us realize this festival.