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About the short film

Memories from the Holocaust have been portrayed in almost every medium, but rarely animation -- and never before by a child animator. Animated short film "INGRID PITT: BEYOND THE FOREST" is a cross-generational collaboration between a world-class animation master, two-time Academy Award-nominated Bill Plympton, and a first-time animator, 11-year-old artist Perry Chen. It is narrated by Ingrid Pitt herself.

Starting with Ingrid Pitt's poignant narration and Bill Plympton's 23 traditional pencil sketches as storyboard, award-winning artist and film critic Perry Chen brings this moving story and its contemporary implications alive. Read more

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2013

Debbie Rochon to be honored with Ingrid Pitt Award, Recognizing Excellence and Perseverance in the Horror Genre

The very first Ingrid Pitt Memorial Award represents a tip of the hat to a horror star — and its recipient is Debbie Rochon. Much like Pitt in the 1970's with films "Countess Dracula" and "The Vampire Lovers," the award acknowledges a person who has supported the horror genre and embraced it overcoming many obstacles, breaking barriers and being a leader in the industry.

Pitt starred in over thirty films. She co-starred with Sir Christopher Lee in the cult original "The Wicker Man" (1973) and "The House that Dripped Blood" (1970). She also starred in Hammer's "Countess Dracula" and, with horror legend Peter Cushing, in Hammer's "The Vampire Lovers." She passed away too soon in 2011. The Ingrid Pitt Memorial Award is presented in conjunction with The Estate of Ingrid Pitt, filmmaker/producer Kevin Sean Michaels and event coordinator Stacy Pippi Hammon.

Currently, a long-form documentary film about Ingrid Pitt's life and career is being produced by Michaels ("Vampira: The Movie," "The Wild World of Ted V. Mikels"), which will be a combination of live action and animation with contributions from student animators and renowned professional animators from all over the world. It will be released in installments. The first installment was called "Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest," and was animated by 10-year-old Perry S. Chen, with storyboards by two-time Academy Award nominee Bill Plympton. The short film qualified for an Academy Award nomination last year in the Academy's long-list.

Last October, a film festival in the Old Town Quarter of Hastings, England, UK in memory of Pitt was organized by Ingrid's husband Tony Rudlin and The Official Ingrid Pitt Fan Club. That festival was also the official launch of Ingrid's novel "Dracula Who…?", published by Avalard. A "Queen of Horror" was announced, Sarah Bones, who will be the ambassador and host for future events, including an event in the spring in New York. The Ingrid Pitt Memorial is in the series of such tributes.

"I spent five years with Ingrid herself discussing her life's work and legacy. She was an actor's actor." said Michaels. "That meant the most to her. She always felt that her work in genre films was not highlighted enough. She wanted to be remembered as an artist. It's all about taking risks and new ground. This award honors that memory and its spirit."

"We are presenting to a horror star, as Ingrid was, to celebrate women in the horror movie genre, keep her memory in our hearts, and to aid further projects to come that have that same energy and positivity," Michaels added.

Rochon is a veteran actress who has appeared in a multitude of films including "Tromeo and Juliet" (1996), "Terror Firmer" (1999), "American Nightmare" (2002), "HP Lovecraft's Colour from the Dark" (2009), "The Theatre Bizarre" (2011), "Sick Boy" (2012), and "Rudyard Kipling's Mark of the Beast" (2012). 2013 will see the release of "Exhumed," "Wrath of the Crows," "Solid State," and "Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell Tale Heart."

Rochon also co-hosted the Fangoria Radio Show from 2006 to 2010 with Dee Snider and Tony Timpone, covering horror news in a talk show setting. Her writing credits include her current column in Fangoria Magazine, "Diary of the Deb." She is currently in post production on her feature directorial debut, "Model Hunger" starring Lynn Lowry, Tiffany Shepis and Carmine Capobianco.

"I think there is no doubt whatsoever that an award with such qualifications as the Ingrid Pitt Memorial Award represents should be established by honoring the woman whose name is associated with the very definition of the award's purpose to a T. Debbie Rochon is that woman," said Hammon.

"They both experienced incomprehensible hardships during their childhoods and have a shared passion for their work, both acting in the horror genre and writing," Hammon added.

"Being honored with such a prestigious accolade is a truly humbling experience. I have long admired and respected the contributions Ingrid Pitt has made to the genre and to be a recipient of an award attached to her name is the highest form of recognition for any woman in this field to achieve," said Rochon.

The Ingrid Pitt Memorial Award will be presented on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Cella Art Gallery, 11135 Weddinton Street, Suite 112, North Hollywood, CA 91601.

The Cella Art Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery centrally located in the NoHo Arts District that loves to support the independent art and horror communities.