Videographer Editor and Documentarian Steve Collins, of SVCC Productions, from Hazlehurst MS, has won a prestigious "Award of Recognition" from the IndieFEST Film Awards. The award was given for Steve Collins' exciting documentary feature, The Boy With The Pop Bottle On His Head, which is a great film that brings a 50 year old Mississippi mystery to life. It is an unbelievable, yet true, story of a strange 12 year old boy who appeared out of nowhere in Hazlehurst, MS from parts unknown wearing a glass coke bottle on his head and predicted the historic and deadly tornado of 1969, that not even the meteorologists saw coming. "Something Bad Is Gonna Happen In This Town" the little boy proclaimed to anyone who would listen. Despite constant threats, beatings and all sorts of torturous acts against him, the bottle remarkably would never fall from his head!
But that was just the beginning! You won't BELIEVE what else he did!
Talented ten year old youth model, actor, singer and business owner Terrance LaMont Smith Jr. from Jackson, MS portrays the "Boy" in which many people says Smith has similar features. The film was shot on location in many parts of Hazlehurst and several scenes in Crystal Springs, Ms. It is supported with many interviews from local people and neighboring cities who interacted with the boy. The documentary also feature some of the 1960's civil rights struggles in Hazlehurst, endless photo of the tornado damage and newspaper articles of that time period..
I thank God Almighty for IndieFest for recognizing my work and presenting me with an outstanding award Collins says. My main achievement was to not only just tell this 50 year old story that some people thought to be a myth, but also find out who this little boy was, where he came from and is he still alive today. I hope the world see this documentary and I hope it have a huge impact on the state of Mississippi. I hope it will encourage the city of Hazlehurst MS to erect a monument to commemorate the lives lost in the January 23 tornado of 1969 and perhaps even a statue of The Boy With The Pop Bottle On His Head.
The IndieFEST Film Awards recognizes film, television, videography and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film and television industry. Information about the IndieFEST and a list of recent winners can be found at www.theindiefest.com.
In winning an IndieFEST Film Award, Steve Collins and SVCC Productions joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award including Liam Neeson as the narrator of Love Thy Nature, A Path Appears Documentary featuring George Clooney and Blake Lively, Radical Grace executive produced by Susan Sarandon, a searing expose Davids and Goliath by Peabody winner Leon Lee, and Touched with Fire starring Katie Holmes. Rick Prickett, who chairs The IndieFEST Film Awards, had this to say about the latest winners, “The IndieFEST is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world from powerhouse companies to remarkable new talent. The IndieFEST helps set the standard for craft and creativity. The judges were pleased with the exceptional high quality of entries. The goal of The IndieFEST Film Awards is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve.”
For more information call Steve Collins (601)894-3392 or (601)613-7413, Please take a short moment to watch the official trailer about the documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS6TPG_detI
Also visit the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheBoyWithThePopBottleOnHisHead/?ref=bookmarks
Other links: WAPT 16 News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyNQuoDuwms
Clarion Ledger https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2019/01/23/hazlehurst-tornado-boy-prophet-warned-deadly-event-50-years-ago/2515035002/ Mid-South Black Film Festival Best Documentary https://www.midsouthblackfilm.com/awards-prizes