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Marietta film wins award from IndieFEST

Brian K. Bennett, of Vireo Productions, has won a prestigious Award of Recommendation from the IndieFEST Film Awards. The award was given for Bennett’s exciting feature film, “Escape 2120.” The motion picture is an adaptation of Bennett’s 2015 science fiction novel, “The Magician’s Horses.” The 105 minute film revolves around a detached orphan teen who escapes to the future in suspended animation, but when he arrives at a natural utopia, he must evade a lynch mob convinced he’s the prophesied Devil’s Child.

Marietta native, Brian Bennett, produced and directed the picture with a core crew of local talent: Tony Brown behind the camera, Mark Ferguson calling the scenes, and Josh Bennett recording sound. Dozens of local volunteers also helped on set as production assistants, extras, and stand-ins.

Local families and organizations graciously opened their homes and businesses as filming locations. The hallways, offices, and sidewalks of the Betsey Mills Club became a fictional boy’s home for a rainy day in December. A 4,000 square foot warehouse inside Boxer’s Bed and Biscuits in Belpre was transformed for months into a film studio housing three full-scale movie sets.

Cameras started rolling in June 2018 for a two day stint featuring lead actor Edward Pritchard, an acting student from Great Britain studying in the United States. Pritchard was joined in December by a seasoned cast from New England, Georgia, and New York for a solid month of filming in the area.

Director Brian Bennett says, “The IndieFEST Film Award is a fantastic recognition for the hard work, talent, and dedication poured into this project at every level. The win brings us one step closer to our goal of a major release and world-wide distribution.”

The IndieFEST Film Awards recognizes film, television, videography and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film and television industry. Information about the IndieFEST and a list of recent winners can be found at theindiefest.com.

In winning an IndieFEST Film Award, Vireo Productions joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award including Liam Neeson as the narrator of “Love Thy Nature, A Path Appears” a documentary featuring George Clooney and Blake Lively; “Radical Grace” executive produced by Susan Sarandon; a searing expose “Davids and Goliath” by Peabody winner Leon Lee; and “Touched with Fire” starring Katie Holmes.

Rick Prickett, who chairs The IndieFEST Film Awards, had this to say about the latest winners, “The IndieFEST is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world from powerhouse companies to remarkable new talent. The IndieFEST helps set the standard for craft and creativity. The judges were pleased with the exceptional high quality of entries. The goal of The IndieFEST Film Awards is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve.”

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