A look back at Sunset Film Festival

ASHEBORO — The 2nd Annual Mightier Than The Sword Awards at Sunset Film Festival has come and gone, and founder and orchestrator Ty Brueilly of Asheboro gushed about the effect felt from the four-day event.

“There has never been anything in Asheboro to this magnitude,” said the local entrepreneur. “It’s very extensive, it’s diverse, it’s unique. Something we should have already had here, I’m so glad I am the one able to bring it to our city, but at the same time, why hasn’t his happened yet? 

“I mean we are about 10 years late on events like this, and the more I spoke with my community, the more I found out they feel the same, so that gave me that little extra motivation I needed to make this one the best it could be, it’s not the first time I’ve brought a first of it’s kind event in Asheboro, and it won’t be the last, I’m focused and dedicated on this artistic revolution for Asheboro.” 

During the late-January, Wednesday-Saturday festival:

— Some 100 films were shown.

— 25 varied performers worked their magic.

— 21 awards were passed out to purveyors of area arts and culture.

— Another 21 awards were passed out for films included in the festival.

— A double feature finale and performances by the festival’s guests of honor, Richard and Anastasia Elfman.

Among the award presenters, Adam Deathe, the new President and CEO of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, was impressed.

“It’s a genuine privilege to be involved in an event like this,” he said. “I’m acutely aware of how important the arts are to a vibrant sustainable community, and so I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Ty and people like Ty, for delivering this festival. I’m really looking forward to working with Ty in the future, to build on what (he’s) doing here, to spread that word and really put Asheboro and Randolph County on the map, because this is fabulous to have this in the heart of North Carolina, really does cement what it is to be in Asheboro.”

Brueilly talked of the importance of people like Deathe and Heart of North Carolina Executive Director Amber Scarlett. 

“I want people to get excited about this festival and the experience that they can have with it because it’s an incredible opportunity for our area,” he said. “I think the duo of Scarlett and Deathe will help extend that excitement for this festival and my other events, too.

“My vision for this festival has always been to bring Hollywood to Asheboro, so this year’s festival was on a different level emotionally, for almost everyone,” Brueilly said. “As our first special guest, David Vega (Bellevue Bob) flew in on Tuesday night, the fires began in Hollywood, getting closer and closer to the Elfmans home, right below the Hollywood sign. We had no idea if they would be able to make it, Richard was texting me all through the night and into the wee hours of the morning their updates. Their home spared, they made the trip, only to arrive in Asheboro during what was called a “polar vortex” and a reasonable amount of snow fall. 

“Thankfully with some teamwork and the epitome of southern hospitality of dear friends, Candace and Mike Bongiovanni, we were able to pivot and still stay on the course in regard to producing what we needed for the festival while keeping everyone safe. My friend and event volunteer, Jeff Craft told me on opening night that we were in for a fire and ice festival, so that ended up being the underlying theme, David even painted a piece on canvas to commemorate that theme, gifting it to the theatre before departure.” 

FILM AWARDS

Box Brown: A Box Marked Freedom: Mighty Feature Film 

RefabricateL: Mighty Debut/Premiere 

Bellevue Bob: Mighty Short Film 

Evergreen - Creatio: Mighty Music Video

Anastasia Elfman: Mighty Acting In A Feature 

David Vega: Mighty Acting In A Short 

Meg M Ralph in Slasher Sessions: Mighty Massacre 

Glaistig: Mighty Makeup & Effects

Left For Dead from Park View: Mighty Music: Theme Song 

From Pen To Paper: Mighty Documentary Short 

How To Save A Milestone: Mighty Documentary Feature 

You Don’t Know Jack: Mighty Episodic 

Rob Underhill: Mighty Director

Aliens, Clowns & Geeks: Mighty Ensemble 

Tutu Grande: Mighty Gripping 

You’re Loved Somewhere Else: Heart’s Core Award 

A Swan’s Song: Complexity Of Human Emotions Award

Mighty Hometown: In The Matchbox 

Raptoons: Mighty Animation 

Falling Out: Mighty Story To Screen 

You! Go! Truth Be Told: Mighty Message

ART AND CULTURE AWARDS

Riley Till, Mighty Masterwork In Illustrations 

Charles “Chuckie” Spencer, Wes Norman Lived By A Code Award 

Richard Elfman , Mighty Icon 

Mark Dillon, Mighty Maestro 

Susan E. Hunt, Mighty Voice Of Change 

Bobby Bodford, Mighty Lifetime Dedication To Craft  

LG Hoover, Mighty Protostar  

Josh Pugh, Mighty Eye: Lens Of LIfe 

FAT, Mighty Music: Acclaimed Album ‘It Could All Be So Simple’ 

Todd Dulaney, Mighty Writer: Keystone Career  

David Smith, Mighty Voice Of Asheboro 

Chip Womick, Mighty Message: Drugs Did This 

Randolph Jazz Band Combo, Mighty Sounds Of Our Surroundings  

Jaylin Brower, Mighty Manifestor  

LG Hoover, Mighty Melody: Nashville Bound 

Elle McKenzie, Power Performance (Flat Iron. Jan. 2024) 

Elizabeth Lail, Power Performance(Pretty Perfect Lives) 

Cade Kennedy, Scene On Stage (Cade As Santa in Once Upon A Christmas Eve) 

Mary Murkin, Super Supporter 

Laura Ashley Live Art, Profound Painter Casey D. Mull