From the unimaginable, like mermaids and robotic crewmembers, to the everyday, such as happy working stews, this year’s Fort Yachtie-Da Film festival covered it all. Turned out in the style of Truman Capote’s black-and-white masked balls from the 1960s, yachties came out in elegant droves to view their fellow crewmembers’ cinematographic achievements. And achievements they were, from moving documentaries to hilarious spoofs of crew life, they showcased the originality of life on a yacht. Sixteen Oscars, a delightful fish statue awarded to crew for first, second and third in six categories (Comedy, Action, Yachtie Lifestyle, Documentary, Sponsor Infomercial and Best Overall) not to be confused with the Oscars for Hollywood films, were given out while attendees enjoys cocktails and snacks behind their masks.
The film festival benefited Kids in Distress, a local Fort Lauderdale charitable organization. A percentage of each ticket sold went to the charity. In the name of giving, Ryan Sputh graciously offered his second place winnings of $250 for MTV Cabins in the comedy category and Gui Garcia kindly donated his $1,250 winnings for Best Overall, which was awarded to Mermaid. Mermaid also took second in the Action category.
And the Oscars go to…
Comedy: First Place: Happy Working Stews by Mish Marchio
Second Place: MTV Cabins by Ryan Sputh
Third Place: Channel Yachtie by James Woods
Action: First Place: Yacht Next by Dan McGrath
Second Place: Mermaid by Gui Garcia
Third Place: Days We Remember by Lennie Mathiesen
Yachtie
Lifestyle: First Place: NW Passage by Robert Husbands
Second Place: Unforgettable Amnesia, Amiee Preston
Third Place: Happy Working Stews by Mish Marchio
Documentary: First Place: NW Passage by Robert Husbands
Second Place: Panama Canal by Travis Rowan
Third Place: Yacht Next by Dan McGrath
Infomercial: First Place: Magnum Force by Jocelyn Posseron
Second Place: Crew Evolution by Mike French
Third Place: Think by Scott DiStefano
Best Overall: Mermaid by Gui Garcia
You can view all of the videos here: http://www.fortyachtieda.com/festival/
Congratulations to all of the winners and to the rest who submitted videos, there’s no time like the present to begin working on next year’s entry.