Award Winning Film "Qwerty" to Screen at Winter Film Awards 2013 Independent Film Festival

New York, NY, February 15, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Before introverted word-nerd, Zoe (Dana Pupkin), gains the courage to enter the National Scrabble Championship, she meets her emotional match in Marty (Eric Hailey), an irascible recluse. She finds him equally pitted against the opposing forces in her life - other people - including family, co-workers and a couple particularly irksome adversaries standing in the way of her dream to become the world's second female National Scrabble Champion.

Juliet McDaniel’s screenplay for “Qwerty” won Waterfront Film Festival’s 2005 Screenplay Competition. The film stars Dana Pupkin & Eric Hailey.

The award winning film will be screened at the 2013 Winter Film Awards Independent Film Festival on Friday, March 1st in the 5pm-8pm Screening Block at the Hotel Pennsylvania Globetrotter Ballroom, 401 Seventh Avenue, New York City.

"Charming, winning and sweet" -- Roger Ebert

"Draws you in and holds you tight ... addictively watchable throughout" -- Film Threat

Best Drama - Trail Dance Film Festival
Best of Fest - Trail Dance Film Festival
Best Film Music - Nashville Film Festival
Honorable Mention - Nashville Film Festival
Best Feature - East Lansing Film Festival - Lake Michigan Film Competition
2nd Place Comedy - Secret City Film Festival

Directed by Bill Sebastian, “Qwerty” was shot on location in Chicago, IL. Bill Sebastian directed and starred in his first feature film about an unemployed ninja when he was 19. He is much older now and less nimble. In 2007 he helmed feature film "Midlothia," which was critically acclaimed on the independent film festival circuit. Last year he directed 4 episodes of "Dwelling" a web-series created by Anthony Q. Farrell, writer for "The Office", and just wrapped a lead acting role in "The Black Sea", an independent film shot in Oregon. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and child.

The 2nd Annual Winter Film Awards Independent Film Festival kicks off Thursday, Feb 28 with 3 days of screenings and after-parties. The event offers something for everyone, highlighting the dynamic range of storytelling the independent filmmaking community has to offer. Among the 58 films selected is a diverse mix of documentaries, shorts, features, animation, music videos and horror films from all over the world.

Winter Film Awards screenings will be held Thursday, February 28 – Saturday, March 2 at the Hotel Pennsylvania's Globetrotter Ballroom (401 7th Ave New York, NY 10001) in three screening blocks – 11am-2pm, 2pm-5pm and 5pm-8pm. The televised Awards Ceremony will take place Saturday March 2 at 9pm. WFA will host after-parties each night following the screenings – please check website for venues. Visit www.WinterFilmAwards.com for tickets, schedules, sponsors and details

WFA mission is to recognize excellence and diversity in cinema by nurturing emerging filmmakers and helping them get recognition and contacts to break into a tough industry. They celebrate the crazy cultural mixture that is New York City, showcasing emerging filmmakers from every age, ethnic, racial, religious, cultural, political and geographic perspective. WFA prides themselves on their diverse collection of films and filmmakers, allowing the audience to enjoy films they normally wouldn't think to seek out. In addition to the festival, WFA hosts 4-6 events each year in NYC, including panel discussions, networking parties, a 48-Hour Film Challenge and other fun film-related events. Winter Film Awards is a registered New York State 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Winter Film Awards 2013 Independent Film Festival is proudly sponsored by Showbiz Café, FEARS Magazine and Footage Firm Royalty-Free Stock Footage, Final Draft the Industry Standard Screenwriting program and media sponsor ProductionHUB, Inc. (www.prohub.com) an online marketplace for broadcast TV, motion picture, pro video, live event, corporate & digital media production.