Film about deadly party nabs CineSol’s top award

'Transformers' actor also honored

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — The crowd cheered as the blood splattered across the screen Sunday at the 14th annual CineSol Film Festival.

CineSol ended its opening weekend by screening 13 locally-produced short horror films at the South Padre Island Convention Centre. The films were entries to the festival’s 36 Hour Film Race, a competition that allows Valley filmmakers only a day-and-a-half to make a small movie in order to win big prizes.

This year’s Film Race theme was horror, a genre that Valley filmmakers responded to by mixing graphic images with dark humor. A small panel of CineSol board members served as judges, as did actor Carlos Moreno Jr.

Top honors went to “Sen5es,” a violent short about about a deadly birthday party. “Sen5es,” directed by Upper Rio Grande Valley filmmaker Armando Hervertz and produced by Green Leaf Society Films, won first place, including $1000, editing software and a plane ride provided by Gulf Aviation.

“It was really difficult, since we only had 36 hours to make the movie,” said “Sen5es” lead actress Monica Ruiz.

“There’s a lot of strain, but that time frame also makes you more creative.”

Ruiz shared best actress honors Sunday with Brenda Cantu from “800 Death End,” a bloody and comedic chiller about a haunted house.

“800,” produced by Jacklyn Alvarez, took second place and won $500 for its cast and crew. Brownsville director Lisa Yvonne Leal’s “The Hanging” won the Bravo Award, given to filmmakers 18-and-under. The Audience Favorite award went to Edcouch-Elsa filmmaker Rick Gonzales’s “Dead End,” a teen slasher film with a twist ending.

“The film entries have always been good, but they got a lot better this year,” said CineSol board member Lupita Gomez. “I think the filmmakers really understand the time constraints now and they really worked together this year.”

Gomez said a number of Valley filmmakers who met at CineSol last year teamed up to compete in this year’s Film Race.

“We had kids from all over the Valley networking and forming new teams this year, new creative teams,” Gomez said. “There’s a lot of talent in the Valley and that’s what’s great about CineSol. They can meet and get to know each other and understand that they can make films themselves.”

Film Race contestants weren’t the only ones who received awards Sunday.

Moreno Jr., a Pharr native, received the Rayo de Sol Award, traditionally reserved for Latinos making a mark in cinema.

“I was a dreamer, and I have not let that dream go,” said a visibly touched Moreno after receiving the award. “I’ve been in L.A. for 15 years and it’s been a rough road and it’s not easy ... I wish I had this opportunity, CineSol, when I was here.”

Moreno’s screen credits include the recent summer hit “Transformers” and the comedy “Delta Farce.” The actor and filmmaker praised the Film Race contestants, calling the entries “amazing.” He admitted to some difficulty when choosing the winners.

“I was very, very pleased with the work that I saw. There’s a lot of potential, there’s a lot of talent in this area,” Moreno told the audience. “I challenge you for next year to do it better, and that’s a big challenge.”

CineSol continues with film screenings and events at various venues throughout the month. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.thev247.com/sections/cinesol2007.

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CineSol 36 Hour Film Race 2007 Winners List

- Audience Favorite

"Dead End," directed by Rick Gonzalez (Edcouch-Elsa)

Visual Works Films

- First Place

"Sen5es," directed by Armando Harvertz, produced by Fernando

Martinez

Green Leaf Society Films

- Second Place

"800 Death End," directed by Sarvelio Carreon and produced by

Jacklyn Alvarez