For Twitchy, the centerpiece of the weekend was the world premiere of SNATCH 'N' GRAB. There is no terror like the terror that accompanies screening your movie for the first time in public. It's often a helpless feeling dominated by waves of excitement and fear.

The right event can quell that feeling a great deal. And what an event it was. We played to a packed house in Huntsville, Texas that seemed to really dig the flick a lot. We were also so touched by the friends, family, and supporters who drove in from as far as Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Taylor for the event.

Terissa Kelton, Jonathan Baca, Aaron Gaudin and others saw parents and friends arrive to help celebrate the night. Long time Twitchy collaborators Billy Kring and his wife Elizabeth Kring, as well as Allison Wood, drove in from other projects to be there. In addition, several folks from Hunstville who were intrigued by the marketing campaign came out in force to really make the night rock.

Surrounding the SNATCH 'N' GRAB premiere was a wonderful festival hosted by Gothic Films and Carlo Rodriguez. He assembled so many talented filmmakers and outstanding films for the event. Films from Portugal, Florida, California and everywhere in between helped create a diverse slate of true independent films. Features, shorts, music videos, and trailers all were screened. The quality of the projects exceeded expectations at every level and we were honored to be counted among them.

Each of the Twitchy folks would tell you a different film was their favorite, a true indicator of just how dynamic was the festival lineup. We couldn't be more honored than to share the same bill as filmmakers Ford Austin, Gary Warren, Sharon Wright, Amber Dawn Lee, Jerry Bell, Kim St. Leon, Patrick Rea, Nuna Rocha, Patrick McKenna and so many others. It left us encouraged that the future of true indie film is bright.

Other festival successes

In addition to SNATCH 'N' GRAB, we screened crowd favorite FUNNY BOOKS as well as our very first feature LITTLEFIELD, the shooting of which became the impetus to create Twitchy Dolphin as it is today. And while film festivals aren't, or shouldn't be, about awards, we were nonetheless humbled to be recognized with several honors.

But honestly, there is no better feeling than the seeing your film fade to black and hearing applause. A film can take a year of your life. At times it can sap your energy, confidence, and desire. To be so well received is a huge high point for us. Thanks so much to the folks at Gothic Films, and to Carlo specificially, for all that they did.

TWITCHY AWARD WINNERS: Aphrodite Cinefest International