Local Filmmakers Honored With CINE Golden Eagle Award

Palm Beach County filmmakers Aaron Wells and Suzanne Niedland, of Silver Beach Productions, have won a prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award for their film Opportunity Knocks that held its world premiere at the 12th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival in April of 2007.

Opportunity Knocks is a dark comedy about a distraught woman who’s suicide attempt via poisoned tea is interrupted when Death’s bumbling bureaucratic assistant arrives early — causing “mortis interruptis.”

The film stars soap opera actor Tristan Rogers as Death, Niedland, a Jupiter resident, as suicidal Luci, and Tim Powell as Death’s assistant, Mr. Morehead. Wells directed as well as edited the film, which was shot in HD entirely in Palm Beach County.

Since its founding in 1957, CINE has been dedicated to discovering, rewarding, educating, and supporting established and emerging talent in film and video. The CINE Golden Eagle is recognized internationally as a symbol of the highest production standards in filmmaking.

“This award recognizes the excellence of your production,” writes Mary Frost, chair of the CINE Competition Committee. “It is a pleasure to acknowledge the excellent filmmaking craftsmanship evident in Opportunity Knocks.

CINE Golden Eagle winners, determination by panels of distinguished jurors, include such internationally recognized artists and producers/directors as Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Ken Burns, Mel Brooks, and many others.

According to Niedland, “Being recognized by our peers is a true honor and makes receiving a CINE Golden Eagle an important award for any filmmaker.” This is Niedland’s second CINE Golden Eagle, the first being in 2005 for her short documentary, Miss Lil’s Camp.

Wells and Niedland are currently in development on a feature-length television pilot and series based on Opportunity Knocks. In addition, the short film continues to be well received on the festival circuit.