Hank Williams movie nominated for film awards

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Hank Williams First Nation, a film shot primarily on the Woodland Cree First Nation in the Peace River Country and financed in part by that community, has been nominated for Alberta Film and Television Awards in the categories of Best Picture, Best Screenwriter (Aaron James Sorensen), Best Director (Sorensen), Best Actor (Bernard Starlight) and Best Actress (Stacy DaSilva). The ceremony takes place in Edmonton on April 29.

Hank Williams First Nation tells the story of a Cree community and an ambitious adventure. Seventy-five-year-old Martin Fox (Jimmy Herman) decides abruptly one morning that before he dies he must visit the grave of his long-time hero Hank Williams. With the support of his younger brother, Adelard Fox, (Gordon Tootoosis) Martin sets out for Tennessee on a Greyhound, accompanied by his 17-year-old nephew, Jacob (Colin VanLoon). DaSilva plays Jacob's sister Sarah and Starlight her unlikely suitor Huey.

Hank Williams First Nation was the first Canadian film ever selected to premiere in competition at the American Film Institute's Los Angeles International Film Festival, and has since won numerous awards in the United States, including Best Picture at the Washington International Film Fest, Best Music at the Nashville International Film Festival, and Best Director (Sorensen) and Best Actress (DaSilva) at the American Indian Film Institute Awards. Hank Williams First Nation also received a Genie nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Bernard Starlight) and became one of the highest grossing English feature films in Canada in 2005.

"I'm just so grateful to the all the film-makers and film-patrons for getting behind this project and giving this story its extraordinary life," said Sorensen. "I'm very proud of this film and all those who took a chance on it, whether by accepting the part, or investing some money, or buying a ticket. The film needed every person who participated on all these levels and we can all take some ownership in it."

Sorensen and his production company Peace Country Films are now developing the movie into a TV series for APTN that is scheduled to begin shooting this summer. Hank Williams First Nation will be released on DVD Canada-wide on May 30.