According to the Yucaipa News-Mirror,
“Mentone International Film festival draws global talent
“The Mentone Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 International Film Festival on Nov. 8–9, celebrating films from around the world in an event that doubled in attendance from previous years.
“Film blocks began at noon each day, kicking off with the crime drama “Obsession” From music videos and French and Italian films to short films highlighting the preservation of Indigenous culture, the festival attracted more than 70 attendees eager to explore the global world of short filmmaking.
“One notable winner was director and writer Pat Battistini, creator of the Ms. Rossi series. The festival featured “Ms. Rossi 3: Ms. Rossi Meets the Mob,” a short comedic Italian film in which the title character finds herself in a series of humorous misadventures. While Battistini was unable to attend, he remains a well-known favorite at Mentone’s film festivals.
“Angie Grisafe-Delarosa, representing the Mentone Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the event’s success.
‘This festival has taken a giant leap forward this year. Many of the film directors and actors responded and they attended. The public attendance, though still a bit scant, doubled from the past years,’ Grisafe-Delarosa said.
‘The Portuguese American Club gave us the opportunity to make an intimate theater atmosphere with curtains and soft lighting. The celebrities, Trish Cook, for one, executive producer of ‘Forsaken’ starring Kiefer and Donald Sutherland; ‘The Humanity Bureau’s’ Nic Cage; Kathy Garver (Cissy on ‘Family Affair’); Emjay Anthony (‘Chef’ and ‘Bad Moms’), and many other recognized filmmakers.’
“The Orange Reel Award Winners are as follows:
• Animal: “Wolf Mountain” — Tom Porter
• Animation: “Figure Fighter Falky” — Anthony Guardado Rayme
• Comedy: “Ms. Rossi Meets the Mob” — Pat Battistini
• Christian: “Emmanuel” — J.A. Williams
• Crime: “Obsession” — Sara Troudt
• Drama: “Nice to Meet You” — Kim Acquarelli
• Drama: “Nice to Meet You” — Dare Taylor
• Family Friendly: “Elf Off the Shelf”— Sara Troudt
• Horror: “The Spoiled” — James E. Morley III
• Indigenous: “Boojara” — Hugh Sando
• Short: “Amazing Otters” — Tom Porter
• Long: “Stop the War on Wildlife” — Randal Massaro
• Music: “Walk With Me Through the Fire” — K.K. Hammond
• Romance: “Ram’s Head” — Casey Lee Ball
• Student (Redlands East Valley): “Terror of Weswick Beginning” — Jesse Marcoux
• Sci-Fi: “Eclipsed Hearts” — Brian Shakti
• Women Centered: “Jade Earrings of the Last Empress” — Marlin Darrah
• Second Award – “Women Centered: Jade Earrings of the Last Empress” — Lin Zuo
• Distinctive Music Video: “Time Traveler” — Paul Gervasi
• Documentary: “When Help Isn’t Enough” — Jason Simpson
• Second Award – Documentary: “When Help Isn’t Enough” — Shannon Buckley
• Special Recognition: City of Lake Elsinore — “When Help Isn’t Enough”
• Best Photo: “Whiskey Bar” — Alycia Estwick
• Outstanding Achievement – Mobile Filmmaking: “Alone” — Allison Eva Whelan
“As the final credits rolled, with laughter and applause for films across the globe, the festival proved that the love of film can turn any corner of the world into stages for imagination.”
MM was unable to attend the Festival due a conflict and thanks the News-Mirror for use of its 11/13/2025 article.