"QWERTY" wins Best Picture and Best Actress at Winter Film Awards 2013 Independent Film Festival

Winter Film Awards is pleased to announce that "QWERTY", directed by Bill Sebastian, has won Best Picture and lead actress Dana Pupkin was awarded Best Actress at the WFA 2013 Independent Film Festival, held February 28-March 2 2013 in New York City.

“QWERTY” is the heartwarming tale of introverted word-nerd Zoe and her newfound love Marty as she attempts to become the 2nd ever female National ScrabbleTM Champion.

Before introverted word-nerd, Zoe (Dana Pupkin), gains the courage to enter the National Scrabble Championship, she meets her emotional match in Marty (Eric Hailey), an irascible recluse. She finds him equally pitted against the opposing forces in her life - other people - including family, co-workers and a couple particularly irksome adversaries standing in the way of her dream to become the world's second female National Scrabble Champion.

Juliet McDaniel’s screenplay for “QWERTY” won Waterfront Film Festival’s 2005 Screenplay Competition. The film stars Dana Pupkin & Eric Hailey.

"Charming, winning and sweet" -- Roger Ebert
"Draws you in and holds you tight ... addictively watchable throughout" -- Film Threat

Directed by Bill Sebastian, “QWERTY” was shot on location in Chicago, IL. Bill Sebastian directed and starred in his first feature film about an unemployed ninja when he was 19. He is much older now and less nimble. In 2007 he helmed feature film "Midlothia," which was critically acclaimed on the independent film festival circuit. Last year he directed 4 episodes of "Dwelling" a web-series created by Anthony Q. Farrell, writer for "The Office", and just wrapped a lead acting role in "The Black Sea", an independent film shot in Oregon. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and child. Visit http:www.qwertythemovie.com for more about the film.

The 2nd Annual WINTER FILM AWARDS Independent Film Festival began Thursday, Feb 28 with 3 days of screenings and after-parties. The event offered something for everyone, highlighting the dynamic range of storytelling the independent filmmaking community has to offer. Among the 58 films selected was a diverse mix of documentaries, shorts, features, animation, music videos and horror films from all over the world. Visit http://www.WinterFilmAwards.com for more information.

Winter Film Awards' mission is to recognize excellence and diversity in cinema by nurturing emerging filmmakers and helping them get recognition and contacts to break into a tough industry. WFA celebrates the crazy cultural mixture that is New York City, showcasing emerging filmmakers from every age, ethnic, racial, religious, cultural, political and geographic perspective. WFA prides themselves on their diverse collection of films and filmmakers, allowing the audience to enjoy films they normally wouldn't think to seek out. In addition to the festival, WFA hosts 4-6 events each year in NYC, including panel discussions, networking parties, a 48-Hour Film Challenge and other fun film-related events. Winter Film Awards is a registered New York State 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Winter Film Awards 2013 Independent Film Festival is proudly sponsored by American PrimeTime TV, Showbiz Café, FEARS Magazine, Jungle Software, Footage Firm Royalty-Free Stock Footage, Hunter Mountain, Pole Position Raceway, Final Draft Industry Standard Screenwriting Program and media sponsor ProductionHUB, Inc. (http://www.productionhub.com) an online marketplace for broadcast TV, motion picture, pro video, live event, corporate & digital media production.

Winter Film Awards
12 Desbrosses Street
New York NY 10013

Press Contact: Vanessa McGinley

This release was published on openPR.