12-year-old Filmmaker Ariela Rozentul’s “Butterfly’ Racking Up Awards
Losing a dear friend in a fatal car crash left an indelible mark on a young Ariela Rozentul. Processing the loss and trying to understand life led the now-12-year-old to make her first independent film “Butterfly,” which has already earned awards from eight film festivals.
“Butterfly” has been designated as an official selection at 13 festivals and will next be screened at the Bergan Film Festival in Rozentul’s home state of New Jersey on July 22.
“I’ve been trying to understand the meaning of life and why some people leave this world when they are still very young,” Rozentul said, referencing her friend. “I felt that I must honor her by sharing a story. ‘Butterfly’ isn’t a story of her death, but my memorial to her and to everyone who died young or lost someone they loved.”
“Butterfly” is the first film written and produced by Rozentul, a feat accomplished through crowdfunding, determination and reconnecting with people she’d worked with during her acting career. She’s currently working on her second film, “Follow The Crow.”
Rozentul also stars in “Butterfly,” and she wrote and sings the original song, “Like I Did,” which won Best Original Song at the NJ International Short Film Festival.
“Butterfly” introduces a girl who is trying to understand the reasons for dying young. She discovers that sometimes our sacrifices can be the biggest gifts to the people we love. Rozentul enlisted Arta Kallaba and Jessika Quintana to direct.
Next Screening:
Bergan International Film Festival, 2 p.m. July 22
Tommy Fox’s, 32 S. Washington Ave., Bergenfield, NJ
Butterfly’s Awards:
Winner: Best Child Actress, Mykonos International Film Festival
Winner: Best Actress and Best Short Cinematography, London Indie Short Festival of 24 Frames
Winner: Best Original Song, NJ International Short Film Festival (her original song “Like I Did” created for the film.
Winner: Best Poster, Toronto International Women Film Festival
Winner: Best Producer, Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift
Winner: Special Mention, One-Reeler Short Film Competition
Winner: Best Producer, Hollywood International Golden Age Festival
Winner: Best Script, Rotterdam Independent Film Festival
To know more about Ariela Rozentul visit: https://linktr.ee/ArielaRozentul