Steven graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications, focusing on film studies, journalism and theatre arts. Dubbed a "prolific" writer by Hollywood icon Kenneth Johnson (The Incredible Hulk, V, The Bionic Woman, Alien Nation), Steven has been honored by the Arkansas College Media Association for his story writing prowess. He has also received recognition for his dramatic writing from the Eerie, Shriekfest and Screamfest horror film festivals. Publications include: Carroll County News, Saline Courier, Forum, Echo and Moroch.

Cannes belongs to Bong Joon-ho

Posted Sunday, May 26, 2019, at 9:43 AM

Photos: AP

CANNES, France — And the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) goes to 49-year-old director Bong Joon-ho of South Korea for his dramatic, dark comedy "Gisaengchung" aka "Parasite." Joon-ho's film won the top honor at this year's illustrious Festival de Cannes by unanimous decision.

“It’s the 100th anniversary of the cinema in Korea this year," Joon-ho said. "To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Korean cinema, I think the Cannes Film Festival has offered me a very great gift."

The Camera d’Or (Golden Camera), was awarded to filmmaker César Díaz’s "Nuestras Madres" aka “Our Mothers." Best Director was awarded to two-time Palme d’Or winners — and brothers — Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for their movie "Le jeune Ahmed" aka “Young Ahmed."

Antonio Banderas won Best Actor for his extraordinary work in filmmaker Pedro Almodovar’s "Dolor y gloria" aka “Pain and Glory," while Emily Beecham was award Best Actress thanks to her stirring performance in filmmaker Jessica Hausner’s sci-fi drama “Little Joe."

The second-place Grand Prix was awarded to "Atlantics" aka "Atlantique" filmmaker Mati Diop who also celebrated being the first black female director at the Festival de Cannes.

“I hadn’t realized myself. I didn’t know,” Diop said. “My first reaction is that I found it quite sad. I thought, ‘Oh, is it?’ So, there’s still a long way to go before it becomes something completely natural and normal and something that’s not noticeable: the fact that I’m a black woman.”

The third-place Special Jury Prize (ex aequo) was more complicated as the honor was split between the two films tying for the award: French director Ladj Ly’s “Les Miserables” and Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “Bacurau."

Best Screenplay was given to Celine Sciamma for "Portrait de la jeune fille en feu" aka "Portrait of a Lady on Fire," while the Honorary Palme d'Or was awarded to French actor and businessman Alain Delon.

The Palme d'Or for Best Short Film: Vasilis Kekatos' nine-minute entry "The Distance Between Us and the Sky." Short Film Special Distinction: "Monstruo Dios" aka "Monster God" by Agustina San Martin.

Special Mention was given to Palestinian director Elia Suleiman’s “It Must Be Heaven, while the Palm Dog Award went to Quentin Tarantino for his upcoming film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."