Coal Documentary Among Films That Take Home Appy Awards

Sunday, February 27, 2011 - 02:20 by Tony Rutherford , HNN Entertainment Editor

HUNTINGTON, WV (HNN) – A stirring documentary of mountaintop coal removal packed viewers into the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center for the screening of “On Coal River.” A standing room only crowd discussed coal and the environment with filmmakers and environmentalist after the documentary.

But, “On Coal River’s” directors, Adams Wood and his wife Francine Cavanaugh, became the winner of the 2011 Best Documentary taking home a $1,000 prize. “China the Rebirth of an Empire” directed by Jesse Veverka won second place.

In the features category,  The Human War” took third with “Morning Funeral” as a runner up to the winner, “Work It Out.”

WV State University student, Holly Reese won best screenplay for “My Autopsy” and “The Lawyer” directed by Eric Wilding won Best Young Filmmaker.Additional winners were Eric Wilding, first place Screenplay, and Gary Bullock, first place for his short, "The Goat."

Prior to the banquet and award’s ceremony townspeople mingled with independent filmmakers whose work competed on screen at the Keith Albee. Many of the filmmakers took time to take their own sets of photographs --- of Huntington’s iconic and historic Keith Albee movie palace.

Here are some photos from the festival, including the original Keith Albee Wurlitzer, now on display on the mezzanine. A drive is underway to raise $100,000 to fully restore the organ.