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John Leguizamo (photo by Gail Kamenish) Philadelphia Film FestivalBy Alyce Wilson The 17th annual Philadelphia Film Festival was held from April 3-15, 2008, with a diverse selection of films in the following categories: Film Noir, American Discoveries, World Focus, Language of Comedy, Indian Cinema Today, Cinema of the Muslim Worlds, Spanish & Latin American Cinema Now, Animation Festival, Festival of Independents, Lights! Camera! Music!, Documentary Tradition, Danger After Dark, and Short Films. Actor John Leguizamo received this year's Artistic Achievement Award, honoring his distinguished acting career, his prominence as a star on the silver screen, and his dedication to the world of cinema. He received the award at a screening of The Take, a psychological thriller directed by Brad Furman. The second annual Rising Star Award was presented to actor Shane West, whose career has vaulted him from teen heartthrob roles to recent dramatic turns on both the big and small screen. His award was presented at the premiere of What We Do Is Secret, a biopic about punk legend Darby Crash, directed by Rodger Grossman. Receiving the Phantasmagoria Award, Frank Henenlotter was honored for his independent spirit at the screening of his latest film, Bad Biology. Henenlotter's love of offbeat and subservise cinema has made his films cult hits with horror fans. Films were judged by a panel of judges and by audience vote, resulting in the following awards: ARCHIE AWARD FOR BEST FIRST-TIME DIRECTOR: JURY AWARD WINNERS: AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS: FESTIVAL OF INDEPENDENTS' AWARD WINNERS: DIVE Technical Achievement Award: In A Dream Also presented was the SCION First Time Director Award to Ben Herold for First Person. Festival Favorites (based on audience vote): Reviews:
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