"Runnin' Down a Dream" DVD Contest Giveaway

Reply with a list of Tom Petty's 15 Billboard Chart hits for a chance to win a copy of the DVD courtesy of ColeSmithey.com. The winner will be chosen at random from all of the correct submissions.

Send your list to ColeSmithey@gmail.com, and good luck.

15th ANNUAL HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

ANNOUNCES GOLDEN STARFISH & AUDIENCE AWARDS

The 15^th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival presented its Golden Starfish Awards at a ceremony held at the UA Cinema in East Hampton, NY on Saturday, October 21, 2007.

The 2007 HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL celebrates its 15^th anniversary – a decade and a half of premieres, screenings, programs & events, tucked away amongst the changing leaves and quiet beaches of fall in the East End. The Hamptons is where talent, industry and audiences come together exchanging ideas, experiences and cinema in what has now become one of leading international film festivals of the world.  This year’s Hamptons fest runs October 17^th through 21^st, 2007, in East Hampton, New York with additional venues in Southampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk.

The heart of the Hamptons International Film Festival has always been its Golden Starfish Award and the films in the competitions for Best Narrative Feature (over $185,000 in goods and in-kind services), Best Documentary Award ($5,000 in cash) and Short Film Award ($5,000 in cash). The Hamptons International Film Festival also awards the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Prize in Science and Technology ($25,000 in cash); the Kodak Award for Cinematography ($6,000 of goods and in-kind services); the Brizzolara Family Award for Films of Conflict and Resolution ($5,000 in cash); the Zicherman Family Foundation Award for Screenwriting ($5,000 in cash); Best Undergraduate and Graduate Student Films (eight $1,000 cash awards); and new this year, the Lifetime Movie Network Award for Best Female Student Filmmaker ($5,000 in cash), the woozyfly.com Best Music Award and, to be announced at an event in NY next week, the ¡Sorpresa! Youth Film Competition (a one-week scholarship to the New York Film Academy).

On hand to host the awards ceremony were two special guests, Jodi Applegate and Ron Corning of Fox 5 New York’s “Good Day New York!”   

In addition to our two hosts the presenters of the ceremony included Board Chairman Stuart Match Suna, Festival Manager Gianna Chachere and Programmers Josh Koury and David Nugent.

The Golden Starfish Category.

The Golden Starfish Best Feature, carrying an awards package of over $185,000 of in-kind production services, was presented to:

VALERIE (Germany, East Coast Premiere) Directed by Birgit Möller.

”A very accomplished first film about a woman's struggle to survive at the margins of society while maintaining her dignity.”

The Kodak Award For Best Cinematography, worth $6,000 in kind services and product, to:

KINGS (UK, US Premiere) Directed by Tom Collins and photographed by PJ Dillon.

“For the beauty and texture, intermixing the past and present.”

The Zicherman Family Foundation Award For Best Screenwriter, carrying a $5000 cash prize was awarded to:

Writer/Director Chris Eigeman for TURN THE RIVER (US, World Premiere).

“For it's unflinching realism, pitch perfect dialogue and 3 dimensional characters in a world that is so often given to stereotypes. “

The Golden Starfish Narrative Jury also handed out a Special Jury Best Actress Prize to:

Famke Janssen 

”For a brave and touching portrayal of a woman fighting for her child and her life in TURN THE RIVER.”

Golden Starfish Narrative Competition jurors include: IFC Entertainment's VP of Acquisitions and Production Arianna Bocco, Filmmaker Alison Maclean, & producer and Cinetic Media founder, John Sloss.

Golden Starfish Documentary Feature Film Award, carrying a cash prize of $5,000 was awarded to:

I AM AN ANIMAL: THIS STORY OF INGRID NEWKIRK AND PETA (US, World Premiere) Directed by Matthew Galkin. 

The Golden Starfish Short Film Award with a prize of $5,000 cash was presented to:

AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE (Scotland, 2005) directed by Marisa Zanotti.

Golden Starfish Documentary and Short Film Competition jurors include: director of acquisitions for Docurama, Liz Ogilvie; SXSW’s Matt Dentler and filmmaker Jamie Johnson (Born Rich).

The Woozyfly.com Award for Best Music in a Film was presented by Woozyfly.com’s President & CEO, Jonathan Bomser.to:

Mark Mancina for his work on AUGUST RUSH.

The Brizzolara Family Award for Films of Conflict and Resolution, was a tie and carries a $2,500 cash prize each, to:

BEHIND FORGOTTEN EYES (US, East Coast Premiere) Directed by Anthony Gilmore.

SOLDIERS OF CONSCIENCE (US, NY Premiere) Directed by Catherine Ryan and Gary Weimberg.

Conflict & Resolution Competition jurors include: human rights advocate and program coordinator for Europe and the former Soviet Union at WITNESS, Violeta Krasnic; Producer/Director Mickey Lemle and Assistant curator of film at MoMA, Sally Berger.

For the 8^th consecutive year, the $25,000 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film Prize in Science and Technology for a feature-length film that explores science and technology themes in fresh, innovative ways and depicts scientists and engineers in a realistic and compelling fashion, was presented to Julian Schnabel’s THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (France). The Award was presented by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Doron Weber.

The Golden Starfish Career Achievement in Acting Award to Vanessa Redgrave.  The award was presented to Ms. Burstyn by Hamptons Board Chairman Stuart Match Suna at the “Conversation With…” event where Miss Redgrave was the guest with moderator Alec Baldwin.  She was in town with her latest film the Hallmark Channel release of THE SHELL SEEKERS.  (In addition to Miss Redgrave’s Conversation With…, another “Conversation” occurred during the festival with special guest Sidney Lumet moderated by Adam Green).

The Lifetime Movie Network Best Female Student Filmmaker Award (previously announced) with a $5,000 First Prize and $2,500 Second Prize and screening on the Lifetime Movie Network was presented to:

Liliana Greenfield-Sanders for her film ANNA.

And in second place, Jessica Marie Sutherland for her film SEVEN TURN.

Jury Members for the LMN Award were actress Jennifer Lopez, producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Gale Anne Hurd, director Mimi Leder and publicist Catherine Olim.

Undergraduate and Graduate Student Film/Video Awards:

“For 15 years now, the Hamptons International Film Festival has awarded over 130 plus, undergraduate and graduate filmmakers a cash award and a viewing slot within the festival.  It has been my privilege and honor to be in charge of this program over the years, offering these talented student filmmakers the opportunity to participate in this wonderful festival and to meet other industry professionals – not to mention to be in the Hamptons at such a beautiful time of year.”

-  Jeremiah Newton Student Awards Director

ABAJEE (Pakistan/US) Dir. Maureen Bharoocha. 

ALAN AND SAMIR (UK) Dir. Yann Demange. 

BLUE DRESS (US) Dir. Katie Stern.

DEAR LEMON LIMA (US) Dir. Suzi Yoonessi.   

QUINCY & ALTHEA (US) Dir. Doug Lenox. 

The Golden Starfish Award for Best Young Videomaker went to: Vladislav Radak for his short film BLUE LORRY.

The 2007 Hamptons Film Festival’s Audience Award were presented at the Closing Night event at Bamboo on Sunday, October 21, 2007.

The Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature was presented to Chris Kraus’ FOUR MINUTES

The Audience Award for Best Documentary was presented to Ellen Spiro and Phil Donahue’s BODY OF WAR

The Audience Award for Best Short Film was presented to Michael Dreher’s FAIR TRADE

Among the attendees at the 2007 Hamptons Festival were Lauren Bacall ~ Bob Balaban ~ Alec Baldwin ~ John Cusack ~ Phil Donahue ~ Alison Eastwood ~ Chris Eigeman ~ Alex Gibney ~ Marcia Gay Harden ~ Hannah Herzsprung ~ Famke Jansen ~ Harvey Keitel ~ Lisa Kudrow ~ Blake Lively ~ Sidney Lumet ~ Sirio Maccione ~ Gretchen Mol ~ Frankie Muniz ~ Jeff Nichols ~ Amanda Peet ~ Scott Prendergast ~ Vanessa Redgrave ~ Keri Russell ~ Egbert-Jan Weeber ~ Jess Weixler ~ Gahan Wilson.

Presenting Sponsors: American Airlines and Altour International.

Host Sponsors: Fox 5 New York.

Patron Sponsors: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, New Line Cinema, Prudential Douglas Elliman, Regal Entertainment Group; Silvercup Studios, Newsday, 91 East Productions, The Hallmark Channel, OK! Magazine, Heineken, Time Warner Cable Media Sales, VOX Magazine, Woozyfly.com, WVVH Hamptons Television.

The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate independent film and to introduce a unique and varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to our audiences.  The festival is committed to exhibiting films that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives, with the hope that these programs will enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment for all.

Film Critic Embarrassment: Peter Travers

There are lots people posing as film critics. You know the ones who confuse a film’s screenwriter with the source material’s novelist. But Rolling Stone magazine’s "3-star" Travers (Peter) is one that deserves the old heave ho. How Travers has any validity after giving nearly every movie he sees 3 stars week after week is beyond me. Go get ‘em Travers…dare to give "Reservation Road" and "Rendition" two stars." Hang it up man. And, by the way: Five stars, no halves is the real man's rating system.

INAUGURAL MIDDLE EAST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

ABU DHABI BLACK PEARL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Middle East International Film Festival – Abu Dhabi (MEIFF) announced the winners of the Black Pearl Awards at the Closing Night Ceremony held at the Emirates Palace. The Black Pearl trophy (designed by Mohammed Gomaa, with the Grand Jury Prize was hand designed Azza Qubeisi is a handmade sculpture representing the beautiful and rare black pearl originally discovered in the pristine waters of the Abu Dhabi coastline, and a symbol that is an integral part of Abu Dhabi history and culture. The Black Pearl Awards also come with a production grant that will help launch the filmmaker’s future projects.

The winners were chosen by a jury of the upper echelon of the filmmaking community, and includes for features; Ian Birnie, Director of Film Department of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Elliot Kotek, Editor-in-Chief of Moving Pictures Magazine; Christian Frei, renowned documentary filmmaker; Ann Bernier, veteran film producer; Mohamed Al-Ahmad, head of the National Film Organization in Syria; Naguib Ayad, an executive producer in Tunisia and Claudia Landsberger, media industry executive and film festival consultant.

For shorts, the jurors are Marianne Khoury, film director and producer; Andrew Crane, short film programmer for American Cinematheque; Ueli Steiger, director of photography; E. Elias Merhige, recognized director; and Jamal Salem, an Emirati writer.

“We started big and we are here to stay,” said Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, MEIFF Vice-Chairman. “We are very pleased with our slate and the audience response far exceeded our expectations. The positive feedback supports the idea that this region welcomes international cinema.  The Festival looks forward to providing this avenue of exposure for filmmakers in this region,” said Festival Director Jon Fitzgerald.

Executive Director of the Festival, Nashwa Al-Ruwaini, said the evening marks the culmination of a successful Festival. “We are committed to nurture and support the indigenous voices of Emirati filmmakers, as they are the soul and driving force of our work. Through these Awards, the Screenwriters Lab and the Film Financing Circle, we hope to provide a platform of knowledge and funding opportunities for emerging filmmakers.”

The evening opened with a special dance performance choreographed by Otis Sallid, and a screening of the Closing Night film, IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH by director Paul Haggis. Haggis, together with cast from the film, Frances Fisher and Jake McLaughlin, the cast from CARAMEL, and various Bollywood and Middle Eastern stars graced the red carpet before the ceremony.

 

In addition to the Black Pearl awards, the following recipients were honored in the Hayah Film Competition. RAMADAN by Fatima Al Shamsi in the Student Category, CELEBRATE LIFE by Kamil Roxas in the Amateur Category and FOR NO ONE by Ziad Oakes in the Professional Category.

The winners in each category will receive an awards package including a cash prize of USD $5,000, an iPod, and a one-year scholarship to attend the New York Film Academy’s new Abu Dhabicampus, scheduled to open in February 2008.

Nadine Labaki of CARAMEL walked away with the Variety Middle East Filmmaker of the Year award, while the UAE Filmmakers of the Year went to Fadel Al Muheiry and Hani Al Shibani. The both of them were also presented with a cash prize of AED 100,000 each.

Rounding the night were the Audience Choice Award announcements. Audience Choice for Best Short went to TANGHI ARGENTINI, Audience Choice for Fiction went to PERSEPOLIS and Audience Choice for Documentary was awarded to HERE AND NOW. The evening wrapped up with a beautiful party on the terrace of the Emirates Palace.

MEIFF is a cultural event dedicated to bringing a diverse slate of international films and programs to the community and introducing filmmakers from around the world to the resources of the region. Presented by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, MEIFF is committed to nurturing relationships and providing opportunities to those looking to invest in the future of film.

Abu Dhabi is a city unprecedented in its ability to develop and grow in response to the global marketplace. In this regard, the Festival will launch the inaugural Film Financing Circle (FFC), which will become a significant annual conference on the subject of international co-productions. MEIFF debuts October 14-19, 2007 and the FFC launches October 15-17, 2007. MEIFF’s Presenting Sponsor is Sorouh. Additional Sponsors include Abu Dhabi Media Company, Emirates Motor Company & Etihad Airways.

Producer Peter Bouckaert, and Director Nic Balthazar of BEN X. Winner of the Black Pearl. The award carries with it a cash prize of AED 300,000

Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film Michael James Rowland of LUCKY MILES.

Winner of Black Pearl Jury Prize for Best New Director (Feature Film). The award carries with it a cash prize of AED 300,000.

Ensemble Cast: Nadine Labaki, Yasmine Al Masri, Joanna Moukarzel. Gisele Aouad and Sihame Haddad of CARAMEL. Winner of the Black Pearl for Best Actress. The award carries with it a cash prize of AED 300,000.

Carl Markovics of THE COUNTERFEITERS. Winner of the Black Pearl for Best Actor. The award carries with it a cash prize of AED 300,000.

Paul Taylor of WE ARE TOGETHER. Winner of Black Pearl Jury Prize for Best Documentary Film. The award carries with it a cash prize of AED 300,000.

Producer Gundny Hummelvoll, and Director Hisham Zaman of BAWKE. Winner of the Black Pearl for Best Short Film. The award carries with it a cash prize of AED 100,000.

Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont of MANON ON THE PAVEMENT. Winner of the Black Pearl for Best New Director (Short Film). The award carries with it a cash prize of AED 100,000.

Josh Raskin of I MET THE WALRUS. Winner of the Black Pearl for Best Animated Short Film. The award carries with it a cash prize of AED 100,000.

Other awards announced at the Closing Night Awards Ceremony include the Hayah Film Competition, Variety Middle East Filmmaker of the Year Award, UAE Filmmakers of the Year, and Audience Choice Awards for Best Short Film, Best Fiction and Best Documentary.

For more information, please visit www.meiff.com

Peter Bogdanovich’s "Runnin' Down A Dream" at the New York Film Festival

I had the tremendous pleasure of screening Peter Bogdanovich’s fascinating four-hour Tom Petty documentary "Runnin' Down A Dream" at the New York Film Festival today. Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen are the most significant post-Bob Dylan American singer/songwriters we have, and when I asked Peter Bogdanovich at the press conference why he thought Petty was taken for granted, he said that Tom Petty was too popular. He said that Tom has had more hits than Springsteen and so there is a tendency for people to not take somebody so popular seriously. Bogdanovich went on to say that Tom is a very serious musician and a major American artist.

I’ll drink to that Mr. Bogdanovich.

The film will be shown on the Sundance Channel beginning with an uncut screening of the entire 4 hour film on October 29 at 7pm.

Best Buy will exclusively sell the movie on DVD as part of a 4-disc box set beginning October 16.

Here's a great clip from the movie to give you a taste.

So, whether you’re a dyed-in-the-wool Tom Petty fan like me or just curious about the man behind the songs; check out this truly magnificent documentary on October 15 in a city near you.

· Los Angeles, CA

· New York City, NY

· San Francisco, CA

· Berkeley, CA

· Santa Rosa, CA

· San Diego, CA

· Austin, TX

· Boston, MA

· Chicago, IL

· Detroit, MI

· Evansville, IN

· Lansing, MI

· Grand Rapids, MI

· Kalamazoo, MI

· San Luis Obispo, CA

· Livermore, CA

· Fairfax, CA

· Martinez, CA

· Petaluma, CA

· Dallas, TX

· Denver, CO

· Washington, DC

· Gainesville, FL

FILM FINANCING CIRCLE ANNOUNCES PAUL HAGGIS TO TEACH MASTER WRITING CLASS AND REVEALS INCIRCLE PEARL GRANT FINALISTS

FILM FINANCING CIRCLE ANNOUNCES PAUL HAGGIS TO TEACH MASTER WRITING CLASS AND REVEALS INCIRCLE PEARL GRANT FINALISTS

Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Film Financing Circle (FFC) is an integral program in the inaugural Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi and takes place from October 15 – 17, 2007 at the Emirates Palace. The FFC today announced two-time Academy AwardÒ-winner Paul Haggis will teach a master writing class for 50 exceptionally talented filmmakers, that is sure to provide an engaging discussion about socially and politically astute filmmaking in the Middle East. Haggis’ writing credits include Academy AwardÒ Best Picture winners CRASH and MILLION DOLLAR BABY, as well as FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, CASINO ROYALE and THE VALLEY

OF ELAH, which will screen at the Closing Night Gala.

"This has been one of the most exciting and best kept secrets of the Film Financing Circle," said Executive Director Nashwa Al-Ruwaini. "Paul Haggis’ Master Class is a first step in Abu Dhabi’s commitment to elevating the caliber of filmmaking talent in the Emirates and the region."

The FFC encompasses several extraordinary events guaranteed to optimize networking connections between international financiers and film executives. The objective is to create new filmmaking opportunities in the Middle East and establish Abu Dhabi as a filmmaking hub. During the FFC, top-level financiers and executives from local businesses as well as the international investment and entertainment arenas will collaborate and participate in a variety of unique programs.

The FFC also revealed the six short-listed applicants for its InCircle Pearl Grant. The Grant was created to expose emerging filmmakers to high-level industry decision-makers and facilitate financing for emerging filmmakers from around the world.

"The Film Financing Circle recognizes that creative talent is one of the critical components to a film’s financial success," explained Adrienne Briggs, FFC Director. "Paul represents our commitment to fostering these promising new filmmakers, and we’re excited to give them an opportunity to explore their craft with one of the greatest screenwriters of our time."

In addition to the general conference program, the FFC will produce a unique pitch program. The InCircle Pearl is a competitive program designed to identify, develop and launch the career of the winning filmmaker. Throughout the three-day FFC event, six powerhouse InCircle Teams will create a marketing and finance strategy for six chosen projects. The filmmakers will then have the opportunity to pitch their project to a juried panel of industry professionals.

Here is an introduction to the six finalists and a synopsis of their project.

Fadel Al Muhari (UAE)

A native of Abu Dhabi and student of filmmaking at the American University of Sharjah, Al Muhari’s films have screened regularly in the Emirates Film Competition since 2002 and garnered several awards including "Best Screenplay" for Al Ghaith in 2004. His latest film Under Construction has been an official selection at several international film festivals.

Project: A Corsair’s Tale

An epic adventure of pirates and revenge, chronicling the back-handed brutality of the East India Trading Company. Seen through the eyes of a young man as he journeys from victim to pirate and then from pirate to hero. He leads his tribe in battle across the waters of the Arabian Gulf in rebellion against the tyranny of English ships on his native waters.

Soman Chainani (USA)

Gradate of the Columbia University’s renowned film program and recipient of the prestigious FMI Fellowship as well as the CINE Golden Eagle Prize for directing, Soman worked in postproduction and development for Mira Nair’s company, Mirabai Films. His acclaimed short Davy & Stu has screened in over fifty festivals on five continents and been distributed in over 100 international territories.

Project: Love Marriage

A romantic comedy of dueling weddings that threaten to tear an India family apart in the suburbs of London as the son bucks tradition and marries for love at the same time the daughter’s wedding is arranged with the son of the most powerful family in the community. Love Marriage was selected for the IFP market and short-listed for both the 2006 Sundance Director’s Lab and Writer’s Lab.

Rusudan Chkonia (REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA)

Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Rusudan graduated in 2001 from Georgian State University of Theatre & Film with a degree in directing, and her thesis film Children Without a Name won several international awards. Her project Keep Smiling won the Focal-Swiss programme for filmmakers from the Caucasus as well as both the Talent Highlight Pitch award at The Berlinale Co-Production Market, and the best East-European project at the B2B Industrial Meetings in Belgrade. Rusudan also participated in The Résidence du Festival Cannes with her project.

Project: Keep Smiling

The tragic comedy of seven women, all mothers of large families, who battle each other for first prize in a ‘Mother’s Only’ beauty contest for mothers in Tbilisi, Georgia. Cat fighting with a flagrant disregard for rules and using every means necessary, these desperate but noble contestants quickly discover the real battle isn’t between them, but against the corrupt contest itself.

Max Gruber (AUSTRIA)

After earning a law degree and an MBA, Max Gruber left Austria for Los Angeles and earned a Masters Degree at USC’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts. He started in documentaries, moved to commercials and in 2006 had his directorial debut with The Gate to Hell, which won "Best Director" at the 31^st Golden Chest International Film Festival.

Project: We Kill What We Love

A dramatic love story and psychological thriller set in Vienna that pitts a young Turkish woman’s search for her missing sister against her own cultural roots. Joining forces with a local detective, their investigation suddenly thrusts them across cultural and national boundaries as mounting evidence points to either an "honor killing" orchestrated by her own family, or a jealous lover’s rage. The truth could tear her heart apart: love may give you wings, but it cannot cut your roots.

Kayvan Mashayekh (IRAN/USA)

Immigrating to Texas at age 11 from Iran, Mashayekh worked as a criminal defense attorney in Houston before turning to film. His first feature film, The Keeper, played in 14 US cities for nearly a year, as well as in Moscow, London, and Budapest. As part of the distribution plan for the film, Mashayekh saw to it that a number of its screenings were for charity raising nearly $200,000 for various Children’s Cancer organizations around the world.

Project: Batting for Palestine

A charming drama following the struggle of a Jewish minor league baseball manager in Texas and a rock throwing Palestinian caring for his dying brother. Thrust together when a US physician in the West Bank sees an opportunity to help, the manager realizes the Palestinian’s pitching arm could save his losing team as well.

John McFarlane (SCOTLAND)

Director of the UK cult hit series Honky Sausages as well as its up coming American adaptation on Showtime. McFarlane is one of Radical Media’s top directors, having helmed hundreds of commercials and top music videos for high profile clients such as Sony and Jamiroquai.

Project: Friends & Money

An adventure comedy about a treasure hunt which takes a group of best friends from New York City halfway around the world after one of them, while archiving satellite images for Google Earth, discovers the hiding place for the loot from the biggest hold up in a hundred years.

The Middle East International Film Festival – Abu Dhabi (MEIFF) is a cultural event dedicated to bringing a diverse slate of international films and programs to the community and introducing filmmakers from around the world to the resources of the region. Presented by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), MEIFF is committed to nurturing relationships and providing opportunities to those looking to invest in the future of film. In this regard, the Festival will launch the inaugural Film Financing Circle (FFC), which will become a significant annual conference on the subject of international co-productions. MEIFF debuts October 14-19, 2007 and FFC launches October 15-17, 2007. Abu Dhabi is a city unprecedented in its ability to develop and grow in response to the global marketplace.

For more information, visit www.meiff.com

Congratulations to Hung, the new Top Chef

I don’t watch much television, but "Top Chef" is a great show that keeps me coming back every week. The season finale was fantastic, and I’m glad to see that Hung’s consistent skill and culinary imagination was rewarded. Great job Hung--congratulations on winning Top Chef!