BEST FILM:
“Planted” Directed by CC Weske
(L-R) Yvette Sams 168 Board Member, Ron Pearson – “the Ladder Comedian,” John David Ware – 168 Festival Director, and Actress Leslie Laursen – Accepting the Award
Photo by Andrew McDowell
168 Film Fes+val Winners 2023
20th Annual Film Fes.val at Trilith Georgia
Ten Short Films Invited for a Look by Angel Studios
Nov. 4, 2023
Faye5eville, GA-This weekend, from November 2nd to November 4th, the 20th annual 168 Film
Fes@val unfolded at Trilith Town Stage in FayeDeville, Georgia, generously sponsored by Advent
Media, Inc., Hollyland, and CT Can@na & Taqueria Trilith. Filmmakers honed and craOed their
skills in the 168 speedfilm compe@@on, producing films based on scripture verses inspired by
the 2023 theme, “Time.”
The pres@gious @tle of Best Film was claimed by “Planted,” directed by CC Weske and produced
by Joshua Yadon, Haylee Graham, and Tim Weske.
According to Weske, “Being a full-@me mother of two children under three years old, it was a
miracle that the film got done! But I believed that He would strengthen me and give me
perseverance. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you put your trust in the Creator of the
Universe.”
“(168) is an extremely fun, yet very challenging compe@@on. I believe it truly brings out the best
in ar@sts. I would highly recommend it for both new and seasoned filmmakers.”
“Planted” earned six awards, including Best Director – CC Weske, Best Screenplay – Haylee
Graham, 168 Exclama@on Award – Leslie Laursen and Alora Weisz, Best Speed Film, and Best
Film.
Best Film Runner-Up went to “Lifeless: A Musical Zomedy” by Darren Cogan, Christopher Shawn
Shaw, Susan Shearer, Gary Voelker, and Aaron Fullan. This film excelled, winning in eight
categories, including Best Original Score – Aaron Fullan, Best Produc@on Design, Best Comedy
Screenplay– Darren Cogan, Best Cinematography – Micah Powell, Best Suppor@ng Actress –
Darby Cappillino, 168 Exclama@on Award – Victoria Jackson and Best Comedy.
The Best Proof of Concept went to “Hard Side of Miracles,” directed by John Fornof and
produced by Jus@n Manntai and Steve S@les. Since 2016, Producer Jus@n Manntai has received
mul@ple nomina@ons for various 168 awards. Jus@n Manntai produced three films in the 2023
compe@@on: “The Likes of You,” “Hard Side of Miracles,” and “Flatline,” which won for Best
Write of Passage.
Manntai remarked, “We were filming ‘The Likes of You’ when ‘Hurricane Hillary’ was
approaching SoCal. Some cast and crew were concerned about the impending storm in
Hun@ngton Beach. We all agreed to complete the shoot in one day. Our cast performed
remarkably, handling the sudden change with ease.
Ten short films were invited for a first look by the Angel Studios Guild for poten@al funding and
distribu@on as features and TV. Invited films include: Lifeless – A Musical Zomedy (by Darren
Cogan, Christopher Shawn Shaw, Susan Shearer, Gary Voelker, Aaron Fullan), Flatline (by Jus@n
Manntai, James Lee Beeler), Planted (by CC Weske), Hard Side of Miracles (by Jus@n Manntai),
The Last Truth (by Sandra Mar@n), Brother of the King (by Aaron Kamp), Just Deserts (by
Jonason Pauley), LiDle Daryl (by Jeff Reed), Family Therapy (by Lauren Shelfo), Waves of Grace
(by Paul Giret).
The Best Student Film award was presented to “The Art of Kindness” by Michaela Ray of
Atlanta, Georgia.
Best Alumni Film was bestowed upon “Dumplings” by Abbey Moe of Idaho Falls, ID. Moe’s
second entry, “Chris@an Hitmen,” secured a 168 Exclama@on Award for Steven Fitchpatrick and
the Best Making of 168 Film award.
The Best KidVid award was claimed by “Shades of Hope” by Kathryn Owens.
2023 Winners – 168 Film Festival
- Best Making of 168 BTS Film – Chris@an Hitmen – Abbey Moe
- Best Sound Design – The Likes of You, Joe Valdez
- Best Original Score – Lifeless: A Musical Zomedy – Aaron Fullan
- Best Production Design – Lifeless: A Musical Zomedy – Maddie Klaus
- Audience Favorite – ?
- Audience Favorite – ?
- 169 Award – Deborah Brown—for Ministry to the World Through Film
- Best Screenplay – Planted – Haylee Graham
- Best Screenplay – Comedy – Lifeless: A Musical Zomedy – Darren Cogan
- Best Scriptural Integration – Family Therapy – Lauren Shelfo
- Evangelista Award – Family Therapy – Lauren Shelfo
- Best Editor – The Likes of You – Matt Green
- Best Cinematography – Lifeless: A Musical Zomedy – Micah Powell
- Best Supporting Actor – Simone Scigliano as Dad in Family Therapy
- Best Supporting Actress – Darby Cappillino as Delilah in Lifeless: A Musical
Zomedy - Best Actor – Miles Anderson as Paul in Flatline
- Best Actress – Liz DeCoudres as Mom in Family Therapy
- 168 Exclamation Award! – Steven Fitchpatrick as Hitman #1 in Christian Hitmen
- 168 Exclamation Award! – Chase Gamwell as Pete in Family Therapy
- 168 Exclamation Award! – Victoria Jackson as Angel in Lifeless: A Musical Zomedy
- 168 Exclamation Award! – Leslie Laursen as Grandma in Planted
- 168 Exclama@on Award! – Alora Weisz as Lilly in Planted
- Best Director – CC Weske for Planted
- Best Documentary – Redeeming the Time – Mona Hylton
- Best KidVid – Shades of Hope – Kathryn Owens
- Best Write of Passage Film – Flatline – Jus@n Manntai, James Lee Beeler
- Best Alumni Film – Dumplings – Abbey Moe
- Best Speed Film – Planted – Joshua Yadon, Haylee Graham, Tim Weske
- Best Student Film- The Art of Kindness – Michaela Ray
- Best Comedy – Lifeless: A Musical Zomedy – Darren Cogan, Christopher Shawn
Shaw, Susan Shearer, Gary Voelker, Aaron Fullan - Best Proof of Concept Film: Hard Side of Miracles – Director: John Fornof,
Producers: Jus@n Manntai, Steve S@les - Best Film Runner-Up – Lifeless: A Musical Zomedy – Darren Cogan, Christopher
Shawn Shaw, Susan Shearer, Gary Voelker, Aaron Fullan - Best of the 168 Film Fes@val – Planted – Director: CC Weske, Producers: Joshua
Yadon, Haylee Graham, Tim Weske - Angel Studios Invita@ons: these short films will be considered by the Angel
Studios Guild for feature funding and distribu@on