House Resolution 43

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AUSTIN HALEY UPON WINNING THE 2007 BEST SHORT FILM AWARD AT THE MAGNOLIA FILM FESTIVAL.

WHEREAS, Austin Haley, owner of Little Bo Productions, has been awarded the 2007 Magnolia Film Festival's "Best Short Film" award for his works on the production of "Katrina's Wake"; and

WHEREAS, the Magnolia Film Festival was created in 1997 by Ron Tibbet, who was searching for festivals to enter his own film, "Swept Off My Feet," when he came to Mississippi and since there wasn't a festival in existence, he created one; and

WHEREAS, now 10 years in the making, the Magnolia Film Festival is nationally known and recognized in the independent film industry as a leading independent film festival; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Haley was sought out in 2006 by Kathilynn Phillips of Pennsylvania during Tupelo's Film Festival, after contacting Pat Rasberry, who in turn recommended him to assist in the production of a short movie on Hurricane Katrina and the devastation left behind; and

WHEREAS, Little Bo Productions and Cat Scratch Films united to produce the award winning short film, "Katrina's Wake," taking two days to recreate the set, three days of filming in Tupelo, Mississippi, and 36 days of editing and creating the music for the soundtrack; and

WHEREAS, thus far, in addition to winning the 2007 "Best Short Film" award in the Magnolia Film Festival, Mr. Haley's work received honorable mention in 2006 for "Best Editing" at the Rhode Island Film International Festival and was picked at the Activist Film Festival in Los Angeles to premiere before a feature film at the Egyptian Theatre; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence of such remarkable individuals and businesses that shed much positive insight into the wealth of talent Mississippi has to offer such as Mr. Haley and Little Bo Productions, which hopes to engage more projects in the state as a means of attracting more support and fostering a stream of income for the state and local businesses:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Austin Haley, owner of Little Bo Productions, upon receiving the 2007 Magnolia Film Festival's "Best Short Film" award for his works on the production of "Katrina's Wake."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Austin Haley and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.