News

Southold man’s film wins festival award

“Wereth Eleven,” a film produced by Southold resident Joseph Small, 49, has won the Founders Choice Award at last week’s GI Film Festival in Washington, D.C.

The film tells the story of 11 black GIs from the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion and their 10-mile walk to Wereth, Belgium, after their unit was overrun by Germans at the start of the Battle of the Bulge. All 11 were subsequently tortured and killed by German troops.

The GI Film Festival honors filmmakers who tell stories about heroism among members of American Armed Forces units. The festival chooses its honorees from among experienced and first-time filmmakers.

In the same week, Mr. Small was notified he has been made an honorary member of the USS Franklin crew, having recently completed work on his second film, “The Franklin — Honor Restored.” The ship  was one of the most heavily damaged aircraft carriers during World War II.

‘Wereth Eleven’ debuted on the National Geographic Channel in February.

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