Extreme-sports athletes, filmmakers and photographers will get a chance to compete in the inaugural "Wild on Water Awards," 7:30 p.m. March 24 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. New film awards honor
wild water sportsBy Tim Ryan
tryan@starbulletin.comThe awards, presented by the Maui Film Festival, will honor men and women in several categories such as Best Big Wave Surfer, Best Surfer, Best Windsurfer, Best Kite Surfer, Waterman and Waterwoman of the Year, plus awards for Environmentalist of the Year, Photographer of the Year, Cinematographer/Videographer of the Year, Innovator of the Year and Living Legend. The final and most prestigious award is Film/Video of the Year.
Segments from each Film/Video of the Year nominee will be shown during the ceremony with the runner-up and "Wowwy" Award-winning Film/Video of the Year to be screened on the 50-foot theater screen on the same night as the Academy Awards.
Plans call for the 2003 Wild on Water Awards to include other "Extreme on Earth" adrenaline sports. Maui Film Festival director Barry Rivers' goal is to have an internationally telecast "Wild on Water/Extreme on Earth Awards" ceremony by 2004.
There are no limits on the number of entries that will be accepted, and they are not restricted to location, Rivers said.
Judging will begin with a Maui-based panel of seven who will select work by five finalists that will be sent to a small group of entertainment industry and ocean-oriented execs for the award selection.
Filmmakers and photographers interested in having their work considered for 2002 Wild on Water Awards should contact Ginny Kiick, event coordinator, at 808-579-9244. The entry deadline is March 1.
A portion of proceeds will benefit the Surfrider Foundation and the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.
Admission to the awards and premieres is $7 for those with a Maui Film Festival Passport and $10 without. Tickets will be available at the MACC Box Office two hours prior to show time.
As for that other awards ceremony, a "Live from LA! 2002 Academy Awards" telecast will take place 2 to 6 p.m. March 24 in the MACC Castle Theater. For more information, call 808-242-SHOW (7469).
And on Oahu, the Honolulu Oscar Night celebration will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The event, one of only 38 Academy-sanctioned parties nationally, benefits the Hawaii International Film Festival. Ticket prices were not known at press time, but have generally been set at $75 to $200 per person. Reservations or information is available by calling 528-FILM (3456).
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