The 2008 GI JOE Stop-Motion Film Festival has moseyed off into a cinematic sunset, leaving behind more than 108 films and another sold out night at the Bug Theatre. The second annual festival's audience was up only slightly from last year's GI JOE FEST, said Executive Director Jena Legrand. But a large number of exceptional films made it an overall success.

"With everything looking down in the ... economy, we're really, really happy attendance was so strong," said Legrand. "We definitely had more people coming for the duration including a growing number of filmmakers."

Two films really raised the bar this year:

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Best Stop-Motion Film using 12" Action Figures:

Bloody Revenge II - UK
(see it here) by Tom Walker, Lyndon Ogbourne and Jon Harvey

Tom Walker and his UK Partners will take home:

• 1 Custom Glass Award Plaque,
• 2 Certificates of Achievement,
• 1 GI Joe International Collectors Club Jeep (2000)
• 1 GI joe Masterpiece Edition Action Soldier
• 1 Cotswold Gift Certificate ($50)

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Best Stop-Motion Film using 3 3/4" Action Figures:

Cobra Secret Weapon - USA
(part 1 and part 2) by Lyle Whitsett

Lyle Whitsett will take home:

• 01 Custom Glass Award Plaque
• 1 $50 dollars gift certificate from Darryl's Collectibles
• 3 Rare Action Soldiers (1994) 3 3/4
• 1 case of "Valor x Venon" Figures (about 10 figures)
• 2 The 25th Anniversary Box Sets (Cobra and GI JOE)
• 2 First DVD Battles (25th Anniversary).

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Honorable Mentions and winning filmmakers in the Achievement Categories will receive a Commemorative Certificate.

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GI JOE FEST TOUR 2009

GI JOE FEST's national tour has become a very important part of the festival and started this year. The tour takes the main competitive programmes and some Special sessions to many regional and metropolitan areas, which rarely have an opportunity to view this collection of the best of animated short films. The difference between GI JOE FEST and other film festivals is that GI JOE FEST is acknowledged as a quality arts event. Each year we screen Award nominated films plus many other internationally award-winning films.

As the festival director for the past 2 years it has been my great pleasure to see the festival embraced so enthusiastically by audiences around the United States and even Canada. After our Denver festival we will tour our award winning short film programmes to several venues around the US in 2009, including Los Angeles and Seattle for the second time, bringing audiences all across the continent an inspiring look at the world of stop-motion animation and of course, along with GI JOE.

Thank you for all the support,

Gio Toninelo
Festival's President

FOR MORE PHOTOS CLICK HERE

GIJOEFILMFESTIVAL.COM announces the winners of the 2nd GI JOE STOP MOTION FILM FESTIVAL.
The winning films were selected from nearly 110 submissions created by Action Figure enthusiasts from around the world, who responded to the opportunity to help promote stop-motion through short film. The 2008 festival and today's announcement of the winners wrap up the second edition of the GI JOE STOP MOTION FILM FESTIVAL, which will continue throughout next year with new touring dates to be announced. The winning submissions are:

Best Stop-Motion Film using 12" Action Figures: Bloody Revenge II by Tom Walker, Lyndon Ogbourne and Jon Harvey (UK)

Best Stop-Motion Film using 3 3/4 Action Figures: Cobra Secret Weapon by Lyle Whitsett (USA)

The skills displayed by the participants in the following categories are also worth mentioning. We salute their spirit and innovation:

Best Action Scene: Bloody Revenge II by Tom Walker, Lyndon Ogbourne and Jon Harvey (UK)
Best Drama: Storm Cloud by Philip Lane (USA)
Best Vintage Film: Aloha Means Goodbye by Carl Piermarini and Jack Celli (USA)
Best Gory Film: Bloody Revenge II by Tom Walker, Lyndon Ogbourne and Jon Harvey (UK)
Best Comedy: Die Leiden des Action Werther by Bernt Popp (Germany)
Best Photography: Driving this Road until Death sets you Free by Simon Gesrel and Xavier Ehretsmann (France)

AUDIENCE AWARD: Cobra Secret Weapon by Lyle Whitsett (USA)

Honorable mentions to: Die Leiden des Action Werther by Bernt Popp (2nd Place), Driving this Road until Death sets you Free by Simon Gesrel and Xavier Ehretsmann (3rd Place), Let's do it by Hutt Wigley (4th Place), GI JOE Dance Off by Patrick Kulas and Brendan Wilcox (5th Place).

ONLINE TICKET SALES NOW CLOSED. Tickets will only be sold at the Bug Theatre's box-office starting at 7:00PM (Oct. 9th). PRICE: $12.00. If you already purchased your tickets online or at St. Mark's Coffee House, come directly to the box-office. We will also have your name in the "will call" list.

We are very excited to see you tonight!
(for directions, please read post below)

The 2nd GI JOE STOP MOTION FILM FESTIVAL will happen this Thursday, October 9th at 7:30PM. Doors will open at 7:00PM. The Bug Theatre is located at 3654 Navajo Street, just north of downtown Denver. The theater is on the same block as Patsy's Restaurant, Pirate: A Contemporary Art Oasis, the Edge Gallery and Zip 37.

Directions:
Take I-25 to the Park Ave. West/38th Ave. exit. Go west on 38th Ave. to Navajo, and south one block to 37th and Navajo. OR Drive northwest on either 15th or 20th Street from downtown Denver across I-25 to Central Street, northeast to Navajo Street four blocks.

Bug Theatre Map or Directions through Map Quest

Two things we'd like to address to people attending the festival:

1. AGE LIMIT - The Festival is rated "PG-13". (Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13). A few of the films we are showing contain violence, nudity (of dolls) and mildly foul language. Please be advised.

2. TICKET PRICES - We'll accept credit cards for online ticket sales only. Ticket Price is $12. The online ticket sales feature will be available till 2:30PM, Oct. 9th 2008; be advised that 1/3 of the seats are already sold. If you have a large group, please contact us for discount prices. Obviously, admission is free for all filmmakers participating.