"Rusti Escapes!" Wins Best Short Film

[Pamela Davis]

“Rusti Escapes!” Wins Best Short Film  
10/19/12
 
HONOLULU—Animal Advocate Inc.’s documentary “Rusti Escapes!” has won the award for Best Short Film at the 2012 Utopia Film Festival in Greenbelt, MD.
 
Judged against independent films from across the world, “Rusti Escapes!” was one of four in the festival to receive an award. The movie screened at the Greenbelt Arts Center and at the Beltway Plaza’s Academy 8 Theatres as part of the best-in-show program, and is scheduled to broadcast on Greenbelt Access Television.
 
The Utopia Film Festival is the first international film festival in Prince George’s County. According to its website: “Utopia has sought quality independent films which reflect the utopian spirit of better living through film: works that entertain, enlighten, and address such themes as community building, cultural diversity, social and economic concerns, and environmental issues.”
 
“Rusti Escapes!” chronicles the incredible story of one of Hawaii’s most famous residents—Rusti the orangutan. This is the third honor the film has received this year, earning an Award of Excellence at the Best Shorts Competition in California and an honorable mention at the Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival in Texas.
 
The eighth annual Utopia Film Festival featured more than 50 productions from as far away as Germany, India, Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Iran. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring animal issues to more people, and accept the award on behalf of Rusti.
 
Please visit our website at http://www.animaladvocateinc.org/?p=43 to read a story about the festival, complete with photos and insights from Festival Director Susan Gervasi.

The official movie trailer is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnODVn43E3uQ <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnODVn43E3uQ> .