HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—This year's winner of the Festival des Jardin $250,000 Young Filmmakers Award has been awarded to Will Ryder for his XXX parody of the Wizard of Oz. Ryder was among nearly eleven thousand entrants from directors 22 years of age and younger across Europe, Asia, Central America, the Outer Caucasus and the far-flung reaches of the United States, all of whom submitted short features, documentaries or movie comedies or musicals to the prestigious committee in Cannes, France.
"This is quite an honor to win this award dedicated to young filmmakers and I didn't expect this,” Ryder remarked following a conference call with festival officials informing him of the award and prize money. “The money will come in very handy as I prep my Charles Manson movie," added the director as he stroked a small dog that looked eerily like the real Manson.
Will Ryder and the movie's lead female stars Maddy O'Reilly, Anikka Albrite and Brandy Aniston will be flown business class to Nice, France next week, where they will board a train (a slow one, not the bullet) to Cannes to accept the award during a lavish ceremony honoring young filmmakers. Assuming they arrive on time, dinner will be prepared by the famous French chef, Guy Savoy, aboard the 108-foot yacht owned (and crewed!) by Clint Eastwood.
"This is really wonderful because there are a lot of young filmmakers just like me who are getting started in the world of film and dance and I am so thrilled that they recognized my work," said a clearly enthused Ryder.
Métis Beauvais of the festival committee commented, "We're really looking forward to meeting Mr. Ryder in person because young directors like him are the future of film."
Past winners of the 75-year-old festival include Roman Polanski, Ingmar Bergman, Louis Malle, Luc Besson, Ron Howard and Steven Soderbergh.
Unfortunately, Ryder missed a non-mandatory meet and greet last month when he was filming American Hustle XXX for Smash Pictures. "I couldn't make it to Paris that week and they allowed me to stay and work on my craft," said the dedicated neophyte. "They really are supportive to young filmmakers."
Directed by Will Ryder, produced by X-Play and distributed by Pulse, Not the Wizard of Oz XXX is a spoof of the classic Wizard of Oz film. The movie exudes color, is packed with imaginative original song and dance numbers and is filled with enough hardcore graphic sex to make Auntie Em blush-and-come.
The critics have also taken notice, writing, "Sheer Delight & Irresistible," and rewarding the production with AVN and XBiz awards. The porn musical has received dozens of award nominations, including nods for Best Parody Comedy, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Music, Best Special Effects, Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, Best Screenplay, Best Solo Sex Scene and many more.
Check out the movie trailer on YouTube.
Not the Wizard of Oz XXX stars Maddy O’Reilly, Anikka Albrite, Brandy Aniston, Alexis Adams, Stella Marie, Nina Hartley, Mac Turner, Dick Chibbles, Eric John, Kurt Lockwood, Gary Lee, Seth Gamble, Eric Swiss, Scott David and James Bartholet.
"Please support young filmmakers like me so that our future can be as bright as the sun," Ryder concluded, scooping up Manson dog for a late afternoon walk in the sun-drenched Hollywood Hills.
For wholesale DVD orders of Not the Wizard of Oz XXX, contact Robert Plarski at Pulse Distribution at 818) 435-160(818) 435-1605 or by email at [email protected].
For worldwide broadcast licensing of Not the Wizard of Oz XXX, contact Peter Reynolds at Plaid Bag Media. [email protected], (818) 332-2275 or (818) 332-2275, ext. 701.
Not the Wizard of Oz XXX is a parody and is not affiliated with MGM, Turner Entertainment, Warner Brothers Pictures, Time Warner, CBS Home Video, Walt Disney Pictures, the estates of L. Frank Baum, Mervin Leroy, Victor Fleming, Judy Garland or any actors, their writers, producers or any members of their estates or assignees.
