lights...camera...ACTION!

The red carpet was rolled out for the Africa Mercy celebrities (a.k.a all crew) on Saturday the 15th of May during the hospital ship's third annual film festival. Every crew member came dressed appropriately in fancy evening gowns or clean-cut suits. As the evening commenced, the Africa Mercy's chaplain Marty Schwebel and the Executive Chef Jesse Mitchell began to present the films rich in comedy, tragedy, drama, and suspense.

The first film, submitted by motorman Gray Quaicoe, was a music video of Bill Withers' Lean On Me. Gray's second film presented a cruel boxing match full of sweat and ketchup blood. Quaicoe ended up winning an award for "Best Editor".

The 7th through 9th grade girls of the Mercy Ships Academy presented a three-part thriller called "Detective Snuffle and the Murder of Amanda Montgomery". Carys Parker (grade 9), script-writer and actress as Detective Snuffle won the "Best Actress" award.

A group of adults in their 20's made a spoof of the TV series Glee, using the hospital's ward as their setting. They came up with original choreography to Amy Winehouse's "Rehab".

Welder Jeff Howard and his wife Megan created a film with a message saying that we are all like matches: if we get too heated up about something, we burn and affect others by burning them. So stay cool! The two also submitted a home video of their 3-year old son Max running around in their apartment with a pillow stuffed in his onesie. The crew was in stitches laughing at this young star's experience. Jeff Howard was rewarded with the prize for Best Screenplay.

Jenz Smedegaard, the ship's carpenter, was rewarded with the prize for Best Supporting Actor, as he played supporting roles in Gray Quaicoe's boxing film as well as Micah and Hannah's movie "Hope and Healing".

The award for the overall-winning film was presented to Micah Holden and Hannah van Leeuwen. Their movie called "Hope and Healing" replayed and exaggerated all the annoying situations typical on the Africa Mercy. Ranging from 2-minute showers to fights in the laundry room, the whole film was centered around a young woman desperately trying to find a quiet place where she could read her book in peace. As every crew member could relate to each of the situations presented in this hilarious manner, those who attended the Africa Mercy Third Anual Film Festival loved the movie "Hope and Healing" and the judges all agreed that it was the best film of all.

There were several other outstanding movies that aren't mentioned here. The atmosphere during the presentations and afterward when awards were being presented was memorable as everyone took pictures in groups and pairs in their beautiful gowns and smart-looking suits. A time for fun, excitement, and fellowship, the Third Annual Film Festival was a success yet again. We look forward to next year's film festival with fresh ideas and new films.