On Sunday, July 21, 2013, the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival presented its first Independent Filmmaker Achievement Award (IFAA) to Michael Mohan. The award reception was held at the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center in Palatine, Illinois as part of the Blue Carpet Opening Night celebration at the 2013 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival.

Mohan, an Los Angeles resident, is no stranger to film festivals. As of 2013, he had one short and two features screen as official selections at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2011, Mohan’s short Ex-Sex won over BWiFF audiences with its honesty and vulnerability. His feature film Save the Date, featuring performances by Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Martin Starr, Mark Webber, Geoffrey Arend, Melonie Diaz, and Timothy Busfield, was selected for Dramatic Competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. The film was then picked up for distribution by IFC Films.

At the Blue Carpet Opening Night event, the evening began with a screening of Ex-Sex, followed by a special out of competition screening of Save the Date. Michael Mohan was then honored with the festival’s first Independent Filmmaker Achievement Award. Guest moderator Mike McNamara (actor and former Festival Director of the Midwest Independent Film Festival) sat down with Mohan for a discussion about his work and career.