Upcoming "I See You Awards" Recognize Low-Budget Independent Filmmakers

DETROIT (WWJ) - Awards season is in full swing, with the nominations for the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) just announced on Thursday. WWJ's film critic, Terri Lee, is a member of the BFCA, and several other film critic associations. She's also created an awards program specifically for low-budget independent filmmakers.

It's called the "I See You Awards," as in "I see" how hard you've worked to realize your vision; "I see" what it took to bring your project to life. And, that's where the name comes from. As an independent filmmaker herself, Terri knows how hard it is to take a project from just an idea to a completed project. Terri says she believes low-budget independent filmmakers need and deserve to see their hard work, sacrifices and dedication recognized.

So, after years of reviewing movies for all of the major Hollywood studios, Terri noticed that there was a void for small independent filmmakers, so the idea for the "I See You Awards" was born.

How do the "I See You Awards" compare with film festivals?

There are literally thousands and thousands of film festivals, and in order to win an award from one, filmmakers must enter their films in each festival they are interested in. This can - and does - get very expensive when you consider the number of film festivals that exist not just domestically, but also internationally. It is also very time consuming. But, festivals do play an important role in the industry and we're not looking to replace them, we'll be working right along with them.

Listen to Terri's interview with WWJ Midday Anchor Jackie Paige here:

For more information, click here for a link to the "I See You Awards" website and a link to enter the awards.  The first annual "I See You Awards" will be handed out on Sunday, August 27, 2017.

WWJ Newsradio 950 is an official media sponsor of the "I See You Awards."

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