Frank Ladner, creator of the mockumentary “Max Perill”, took home awards for best feature and best actor, Friday night at the 2015 Best of the Pine Belt Award Show.
The Best of the Pine Belt Award Show is not just an award show for mockumentaries, it also recognizes other types of artists and performers, said Ladner.
A mockumentary is a documentary about a fake subject, said Ladner.
Ladner began shooting “Max Perill” in November 2014, and finished the film in April.
Ladner first screened his film on May 15 at Pearl River Community College.
Ladner and his wife Janna attended the award show Friday night in Hattiesburg without knowing if the film would win any awards.
“We took a chance in going, people were dropping hints but nobody ever came out and told us if we had won anything,” said Ladner.
Ladner and his team were pleasantly surprised with the award for best feature. Ladner said the award he received for best actor was another shock.
“Honestly to win both was a surprise, but the best actor award was 100 percent unexpected,” said Ladner.
Ladner admitted that having his wife work behind the scenes makes things a lot easier for him.
“She is my crew, she runs the camera and the sound,” said Ladner. “She is largely responsible for everything that goes on behind the scenes.”
Ladner has entered “Max Perill” in the Sun and Sands Mississippi Film and Music Festival which will take place on October 9 – 17th, however he is still waiting for confirmation on whether or not his film will be chosen for a screening.