Rosemount Estate and the Jackson Hole Film Festival Announce Winner of the Second Annual Rosemount Diamond Award

Rosemount Estate and the Jackson Hole Film Festival Announce Winner of the Second Annual Rosemount Diamond Award

- U.S. filmmaker nabs prestigious Rosemount Diamond award at the Jackson Hole Film Festival for heartfelt drama -

JACKSON, Wyo., June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosemount Estate, the prestige wine of Australia, and the Jackson Hole Film Festival announced the winner of its second annual Rosemount Diamond Award, a film competition for emerging filmmakers, at an award ceremony at The Amangani hotel in Jackson, Wyoming Friday evening (June 9th). Legendary Hollywood executive Alan Hirschfield presented writer/director Robert Collector with the Rosemount Diamond Award and a $10,000 cash prize for his film Believe in Me, based on an inspiring true story about a girls basketball coach set in rural Oklahoma circa 1964, starring Jeffrey Donovan, Samantha Mathis and Bruce Dern. Guests at the award ceremony included film critic and festival judge Leonard Maltin and actors Alicia Witt and Thora Burch, among other film industry notables.

"We are so thrilled to present the Rosemount Diamond Award to Bob. His film Believe in Me exemplifies the great emerging talent out there today which was also evident by the films of the other finalists that were up for consideration," said Eben Dorros, President of the Jackson Hole Film Institute. "Ultimately Bob was chosen for his outstanding achievement in cinematography, directing, editing and production. The decision was very difficult this year which is a true testament to the growing prestige of this award within the film community and our Festival," added Dorros.

Collector was one of five talented finalists including Mary McGukian, Julius Avery, Tatia Pilieva, and Patricia Radoi. These five finalists were selected from over 3000 films submitted for the competition. A distinguished panel including: Nadine Velazquez (Actor) and Frank Coraci (Director). JoAnn Perritano (Producer) along with Witt and Maltin selected Collector as the winner.

The Rosemount Diamond Award was established by Rosemount Estate and the Jackson Hole Film Festival in 2004 to recognize emerging Australian talent and bring their work to a U.S. audience. However to meet the growing success of the award, this year's competition was opened up to U.S. and British filmmakers as well as Australians. The festival intends to add an additional country to the mix each year.

"It was great to see such outstanding films and to be associated with such fine artistic talent," said Nicole Carter Vice President of Communications for Rosemount Estate. "As a wine industry leader Rosemount Estate has always encouraged and valued innovation so it seems fitting that we extend our encouragement of creative endeavors to the medium of film. The art of film, like great wine, requires dedication, creativity and an unconditional focus on quality. We hope our support will provide greater recognition -- and opportunity -- for the next generation of film talent," she added.

ABOUT ROSEMOUNT ESTATE: The Prestige Wine of Australia was founded in 1969 in the Hunter Valley by Robert Oatley. It is one of Australia's most prominent wineries. The winery regularly receives awards and accolades for its distinctive, full-flavored wines and was named "New World Winery of the Year for 2001" by the prominent industry magazine, Wine Enthusiast.

ABOUT THE JACKSON HOLE FILM FESTIVAL: The Jackson Hole Film Festival is a program of the Jackson Hole Film Institute. The Festival is a 5 day competitive independent film festival held each year in June. The Festival consists of approximately 80 films divided over 8 competitive programs along with panel discussions and parties. In addition to the Rosemount Diamond Award, the 2006 World Program will highlight filmmakers from the United Kingdom, Global Insight will highlight important human rights films, Sports Action will highlight action sports filmmaking, and Student Voices will give a chance for students to exhibit their work. The other competitive programs include Best Feature, Best Short and Best Documentary.

For more information on the Jackson Hole Film Festival or the Jackson Hole Film Institute, please contact Andy Gelb or Kelly Stephens of PMK/HBH Public Relations at (310) 289-6200 or Todd Rankin at (307) 733-8144.

For more information on Rosemount Estate, the Rosemount Diamond Award and images from the 2006 Jackson Hole Film Festival, please contact Maryam Barrett at 212.989.6129 or maryams@nyc.rr.com.

Source: Rosemount Estate

CONTACT: Andy Gelb or Kelly Stephens, both of PMK/HBH Public Relations,
+1-310-289-6200, or Todd Rankin, +1-307-733-8144, all for Jackson Hole Film
Institute; or Maryam Barrett, +1-212-989-6129, maryams@nyc.rr.com, for
Rosemount Estate

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