Written by Tasnia Habib
On the south side of the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway in California, a small town called Cambria is nestled among the pine forest. Cambria Film Festival was born in this romantic coastal location. The festival focuses on celebrating films with romance, romantic comedies and the complexities of love. The fourth annual Cambria Film Festival took place virtually from February 4th through February 7th.
Film festival Director Dennis Frahmann became involved in the festival after retiring to Cambria. The festival was initially created to bring film to Cambria, which does not have any movie theaters, and to stimulate the town’s economy. Since then, the Cambria Film Festival has screened many notable films. “Our goal is really to bring visibility and recognition to great films that people may have not seen,” said Frahmann.
The romantic nature of the scenic town inspired the festival theme. In its fourth year, Frahmann said the scope of the festival has expanded. “Over time, our vision has expanded to the complexities of love, exploration of what motivates human relationships, and what constitutes the importance of love in one’s life,” said Frahmann.
The film festival is part of the Cambria Center for the Arts, a non-profit dedicated to local arts. The Center keeps the town engaged throughout the year with film screenings and lectures. Town residents are also an integral part of festival planning through screening and rating films for the festival. “It’s very much a town effort to help select the films that end up in the film festival,” said Frahmann. “We’re really happy with how many films people are willing to watch and help us rate.”
In past festivals, smaller venues allowed for intimate events. “Because the venues are so small, people really get to interact with filmmakers and it’s a very powerful experience for people to have that,” said Frahmann. However, this year’s virtual film festival has increased their audience reach and interaction with filmmakers. “A surprising number of our returning pass holders bought gift passes this year for friends or relatives outside the area, which helped extend our reach,” said Frahmann. This year’s festival also included Q&As with all featured filmmakers. “We hope that we can continue the virtual element; we think it makes the festival stronger,” said Frahmann. The film festival is planning to host a mini-festival in the summer to continue the increased audience engagement.
The festival competition this year included eight features and 50 short films, representing 17 different countries. Other virtual events held include filmmaker talks and a silent auction to benefit the SLO Food bank and the Cambria Center for the Arts.
The 2021 Cambria Film Festival Award Winners
Nancy Green Founder’s Award
Vera
17 min., Spain
Director: Laura Rubirola Sala
Vera, a great fan of classical music who works as a nighttime cleaner, discovers Miguel; a man she has never seen but who imagines thanks to the objects he has on his desk.
Best Feature Film
Breaking Fast
92 min., United States
Director: Mike Mosallam
Mo, a practicing Muslim living in West Hollywood, is learning to navigate life post-heartbreak. Enter All-American Kal who surprises Mo by offering to break fast with him during the holy month of Ramadan. As they learn more about each other, love develops over what they have in common, and what they don’t.
Best Short Film
In Tune
15 min., France
Director: Xavier Inbona
A classical pianist devotes his whole self to winning the largest piano contest in the world to the detriment of his relationship. When he suffers from a stroke, which aspect of his life becomes more important?
Best Animated Film
Bolero Station
10 min., Switzerland
Director: Rolf Brönnimann
The signalman lives on one side of the tracks, the saleswoman on the other. They see each other every day, but it’s not till Death comes knocking that they both seize their chance to be together.
Director’s Award for Artistic Achievement
The Jackpot
22 min., Germany
Director: Alice von Gwinner
Thanks to his best friend Eugenie the chicken, the reclusive Albert finds himself involved in a fateful game of chance that leads him to his true love. But is it really all just a coincidence?
Cambria Heart Award
Of Thread and Almonds
12 min., United Kingdom
Director: Rebecca Manley
Set in ’90s London, this film unravels the story of love unexpectedly found in the heart of a museum. A thoughtful cloakroom attendant, skilled with a needle and thread, has his immaculate routine turned upside down by the appearance of a charismatic PhD scholar, there to carry out research in the library. Despite an immediate and potent chemistry between them, neither seems brave enough to make a move.
Audience Award for Favorite Feature
Breaking Fast
Audience Award for Favorite Short
Of Thread and Almonds