West Coast Premiere Nets Directing, Acting, Soundtrack Awards

AWARD-WINNERS In its West Coast premiere, Something Like Summer took home three awards for Best Soundtrack, Best First Feature for director David Berry and Best Supporting Actor for Ben Baur.

The film screened June 10 before a sold-out audience at San Diego’s iconic theater, The Observatory in North Park, as the Centerpiece Film of the 19th annual FilmOut San Diego festival.

The nods for Best First Feature and Supporting Actor were audience awards, voted on by festival-goers. The soundtrack win was awarded by the festival itself.

“The audience award and response exceeded my hopes,” director David Berry said. Also the film’s cinematographer, he stepped into the director role only a few days into the 20-day shoot in Portland, Ore., after the original director, producer J.T. Tepnapa, fell ill.

“Honestly, for someone who took over a couple days in, I didn’t really expect anything. I’ve just been trying to make a good movie,” he said. “I’m glad it paid off for the audience.”

Epic in scope and wonderfully written and performed, the film follows the course of true love over the span of a dozen years.

FilmOut San Diego

The San Diego award is Berry’s second in his debut outing as a director. He won the same award at qFLIX Philadelphia in March at Something Like Summer‘s North American premiere.

SUPPORTING ACTOR The San Diego audience also voted for Ben Baur as Best Supporting Actor in his role as Jace Holden, “the world’s perfect boyfriend.” Baur attended the festival along with the other lead actors, Grant Davis (Ben) and Davi Santos (Tim). He was thrilled about the award.

“That’s so rad! This is legit the first acting award I’ve won since high school,” he exclaimed. “Huge thank you to everyone who joined us at FilmOut to watch Something Like Summer. The warmth and support I felt was incredible.”

SOUNDTRACK Something Like Summer features seven classic and original musical numbers, performed by Grant Davis and 13 Reasons Why actor Ajiona Alexus (Allison). The songs were arranged, orchestrated and directed by Cian McCarthy, the musical director of “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway. McCarthy also composed Summer‘s score.

“Ben’s music and Tim’s paintings form the artistic backbone of Something Like Summer,” producer Carlos Pedraza said. “Cian’s work with the songs and score elevates the movie to a higher level of storytelling.”

The soundtrack’s original songs include “Shadow,” by John Patrick and “Dream Big,” by Ajiona Alexus, who plays Allison in the movie.

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