(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--October 1, 2008) The 34th annual International Health & Medical Media Awards have awarded “Million Calorie March”, Gary Marino’s documentary/docudrama based on his Florida to Boston walk for obesity awareness and his book “Big & Tall Chronicles,” a winner in the Nutrition and Diet category. The awards ceremony will be held in Philadelphia on November 14th.
Conceived and launched as an “Academy Award-style” film competition for the medical world more than 30 years ago by Dr. Fred Gottlieb, a San Francisco Bay area ophthalmologist, The Freddies were designed to challenge the health and medical communities to create more exciting and engaging films. Before his death in 1984, Dr. Gottlieb saw the film festival grow into an event attracting hundreds of entries from around the world. Finalists are list on
http://www.thefreddies.com.
The 98-minute “Million Calorie March” debuted last fall at the Boston Film Festival to rave reviews and has since premiered at the Northampton, Jacksonville, Florida and Long Island Film Festivals among others. The movie was also screened at over 40 campaign stops during Marino’s 2008 “Million Step March” Walking and Talking Tour of North Carolina for Blue Cross.
“We knew based on early reviews that audiences found the film entertaining – however winning the Freddie Award is proof that the health and medical community sees the value in the film from an educational and motivational stand point as well” said Executive Producer Todd G. Patkin.
Past Freddie Award Recipients include the late ABC Anchor Peter Jennings for his 2004 piece “How to Get Fat With out Really Trying.” Magic Johnson, Bill Gates , C. Everett Koop and Marlo Thomas have also won in recent years.
In April 2004, Gary Marino kicked off his obesity fighting non-profit foundation Generation Excel with a historic walking campaign of the eastern seaboard. The launch was broadcast live on ABC’s “Live With Regis & Kelly” and reached over 70 million people. The film follows Marino’s life and struggle that led him to create Generation Excel and explores the back story of adult and childhood obesity in the United States.
“Ebert & Roper” fill in critic Joyce Kulhawick says “Gary Marino is the heart and soul of this film. “Million Calorie March” is entertaining, engaging and inspiring. It’s a good film for kids too!" WTKK Radio 96.9FM calls the film “A comedic road trip fused with an inspirational weight loss story.” BostonNow calls the movie “inspirational cinema from a turnaround man.”
Produced in Boston by Studio G Motion Pictures and Generation Excel in conjunction with National Boston and Pulse Media “Million Calorie March” is currently screening across the country in search of broadcast and Home DVD distribution.
The film was produced entirely utilizing Massachusetts talent and facilities. The screenplay was written by Sandy Jaffe and the film is co-produced by Jimmy Jay Frieden. Local documentary editor Jeff Schmidt edited the film and served as Associate Producer. Longtime film consultant David Klieler of Local Sightings also contributed to the production. Nationally known wellness expert Dr. Howard Rankin also provides commentary through out the documentary. The film‘s music soundtrack was written and recorded by Boston artists, including Grammy Nominee Jon Butcher.
“Gary is a dynamic force of nature and I was captivated by the concept of his movie the first time I heard about it” says Butcher who created most of the film’s music soundtrack. “People will be blown away by this movie.”
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