Best Actress Award to Katheryn Winnick in “Children of the Air”

The 12th Annual International Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF) closing Gala Awards ceremony was held on April 29, 2012 at the Four Seasons Hotel with over 300 distinguished guests. “The Black Tulip,” a feature-length drama directed by Sonia Nassery Cole, received the Golden Palm Award for the best film in all categories, as well as honours for Best Producer for Sonia Nassery Cole and Chris Cole, distinguished with the Jury Award for Best Feature Film. “Black Tulip”, shot entirely on location, is a drama about a family’s plight for freedom in Afghanistan after the expulsion of the Taliban in 2001.

From its 2012 line-up of 50 competition films screened over five days, the BHFF also gave serious nods to “Children of the Air”, awarding Katheryn Winnick for Best Actress. The film also received the Best Cinematography award due to the work of writer/director Damian Horan, “Children of the Air” being his thesis film.

“Children of the Air” is a story that “follows the rise and demise of a young couple’s fairytale love affair,” created from the original fairytale of the Little Mermaid. Katheryn Winnick and Travis Van Winkle star as Samantha and Trey who “relive the wonder and disappointment of fleeting love and broken moments left behind. (www.imdb.com)

Highlights of Ms. Winnick’s professional career work includes roles in various films – “Love and Other Drugs”, “Killers”, “Failure to Launch”, and “Ivanna Trump”. Currently filming, she plays a small part in an Al Pacino film. Her TV guest roles include Law & Order, CSI, House, Criminal Minds, and Nikita. Katheryn’s other activities includes a background martial arts with a third degree black belt in both Taekwondo and Karate, and is a Canadian champion. She also carries a body guard licence.

Toronto-born and raised Katheryn Winnick earned a Kinesiology degree from York University, and owned and operated her own Taekwondo school during her university years. She is a graduate of Richview Collegiate Institute and attended St. Demetrius Catholic School in Etobicoke. “Katrusya” is of Ukrainian descent and speaks fluent Ukrainian. She was a Plast scout member and leader, and is a Matura graduate from Tsopa Palijiw Ukrainian School. She is a daughter of Roman Winnicki and Lesya Winnicki (a vice-president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Toronto Branch).

By John Pidkowich, compiled with press releases

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Actress Katheryn Winnick