“Win, Lose or Draw” Named Audience Favorite in 16th “A Place Called Sacramento” Film Festival

(From Left) Phil D’Asaro, Katherine DaSilva, Josh Mihal, David L. Peters, Tay Ouk, Axel Ahrens, Greg Marker, Donna Preston and Cheryl Wynton

Eight original Sacramento-based short films enjoyed their world premiere  Sunday in the 16th annual “A Place Called Sacramento” film festival presented by Access Sacramento.

“Win, Lose or Draw” by Donna Preston, a story about a man whose short-sighted gambling addiction gets in the way of both true love AND money, was voted “Audience Favorite” as more than 500 people watched at Sacramento’s historic Crest Theater.

The other specialty award is by vote of the eight-winning writers/producers who cast ballot for the Producer’s Choice Award.  This year a drama, Focused by  Katherine DaSilva, and a documentary, “Death of Del Paso” by Phil D’Asaro were both awarded.

All of the filmmakers greeted their fans, cast and crew in the lobby before the films showed on the big screen.

The films and awards presentations will all premiere on Access Sacramento’s cable channel 17 very soon, and will later be available on AccessLocal.TV and YouTube.

A DVD of the “A Place Called Sacramento” movie premiere and awards show is available for purchase from the Access Sacramento office by calling 916-456-8600 ext. 0.

Access Sacramento congratulates all of the filmmakers, the hundreds of volunteers who helped make the films, and the sponsors who make the festival possible.

The Creast Theatre during the “A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival. [Phil Kampel Photography]

The Lobby of the Crest [Phil Kampel Photography]

Writer Greg Marker (Center) with fans at The Crest. [Phil Kampel Photography]

Writer Phil D’Asaro from “Death of Del Paso” (right) in the lobby of the Crest [Phil Kampel Photography]

Writer Phil D’Asaro from “Death of Del Paso” (left) in the lobby of the Crest [Phil Kampel Photography]

Writer Tay Ouk from “Night Out” in the lobby of the Crest. [Phil Kampel Photography]

In the lobby of the Crest, (left) Donna Preston of “Win, Lose or Draw” talks with Katherine DaSailva of “Focused.” [Phil Kampel Photography]

Audience members use their smart phones to text in a vote for the Audience Favorite film during the 16th annual “A Place Called Sacramento” Film Festival. [Phil Kampel Photography]

(From Left) Access Sacramento Board Chair Jo Anna Davis, Writer Axel Ahrens of “River of Fear,” Mascot Quentin Sacramento and Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin [Phil Kampel Photography]

(From Left) Access Sacramento Board Chair Jo Anna Davis, Writer Phil D’Asaro from “Death of Del Paso,”Mascot Quentin Sacramento and Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin [Phil Kampel Photography]

Writer Phil D’Asaro of “Death of Del Paso” thanks his cast and crew from the stage of the Crest. [Phil Kampel Photography]

(From Left) Two films won the Producer’s Choice award for the 16h annual “A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival. (From Left) Writer Phil D’Asaro from “Death of Del Paso,” Access Sacramento Board chair Jo Anna Davis, Katherine DaSilva of “Focused,” and Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin. [Phil Kampel Photography]

Writer Katherine DaSailva of “Focused” thanks her volunteer cast and crew from the stage of the Crest. Writer Donna Preston of “Win, Lose or Draw” as the Audience Favorite Winner [Phil Kampel Photography]

(From Left) Access Sacramento Board Chair Jo Anna Davis, Writer Katherine DaSilva of “Focused,” Mascot Quentin Sacramento and Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin [Phil Kampel Photography]

Writer Katherine DaSailva of “Focused” thanks her volunteer cast and crew from the stage of the Crest. Writer Donna Preston of “Win, Lose or Draw” as the Audience Favorite Winner [Phil Kampel Photography]

Access Sacramento Board of Directors’ Chair Jo Anna Davis with greetings to the audience at the Crest Theatre for the 16th A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival. [Phil Kampel Photography]

(From Left) Access Sacramento Board Chair Jo Anna Davis, Writer Greg Marker of “A River Runs, Shoe It,” Mascot Quentin Sacramento and Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin [Phil Kampel Photography]

Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin Writer Donna Preston of “Win, Lose or Draw” as the Audience Favorite Winner [Phil Kampel Photography]

(From Left) Access Sacramento Board Chair Jo Anna Davis, Writers Josh Mihal and David L. Peters of “Losing Kevin,” Mascot Quentin Sacramento and Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin [Phil Kampel Photography]

(From Left) Access Sacramento Board Chair Jo Anna Davis, Writer Tay Ouk of “Night Out,”Mascot Quentin Sacramento and Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin [Phil Kampel Photography]

Writer Donna Preston of “Win, Lose or Draw” as the Audience Favorite Winner [Phil Kampel Photography]

(From Left) Access Sacramento Board Chair Jo Anna Davis, Audience Favorite winner Donna Preston of “Win, Lose or Draw,” and Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin [Phil Kampel Photography]

(From Left) Access Sacramento Board Chair Jo Anna Davis, Writer Donna Preston of “Win, Lose or Draw.”Mascot Quentin Sacramento and Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin [Phil Kampel Photography]

Writer Donna Preston of “Win, Lose or Draw” as the Audience Favorite Winner [Phil Kampel Photography]

(From Left) Access Sacramento Board Chair Jo Anna Davis, Writer Cheryl Wynton of “61 Candles,” Mascot Quentin Sacramento and Access Sacramento Executive Director Gary Martin [Phil Kampel Photography]