Barry Ratcliffe to Be Awarded Mendez Award at Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown

August 19, 2021

(Hagerstown, MD August 14, 2021) – Actor Barry Ratcliffe will be awarded the Mendez Award at the Maryland International Film Festival in Hagerstown, Maryland on Friday August 20, 2021.

Film Festival Board of Directors President Nicole Houser said, “The Mendez Award is awarded to someone who has succeeded in the Television and Film Industry; or has supported film and television and has given back to the community. Barry Ratcliffe is an internationally renowned actor and has been a fixture in film and television for decades. He gives back to the community in a variety of ways, and is also being recognized for his kindness, humor, and support of the Arts.”

Barry Ratcliffe will be attending the opening night events, for the 9th Maryland International Film Festival. This year’s Mendez Award winner is best known as “Hollywood’s Auctioneer” and as Don Foushee on the hit TV series “Outsiders.” This year he will be joining the Marvel family, guest starring in the new Avenger series “Hawkeye” on Disney Plus with Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld, as well as playing Lenox Bidlow in the new season of M. Night Shyamalan’s “Servant”. Other notable characters include city councilman Jason Tyler on “Army Wives”, as well as recreating the cowardly lion in the feature film “Dorothy and the Witches of Oz” and the Starz miniseries “The Witches of Oz”. His work spans from comedy to drama on such shows as "Hollywood" on Netflix, "Bluff City Law" with Jimmy Smits, "Fresh off the Boat" with Constance Wu, "General Hospital", "The Inspectors", "Manhunt: Deadly Games", "P-Valley", "Enemy Within", "Nashville", "Person of Interest", "House of Cards", Tyler Perry's "The Haves and The Have Nots", "White Collar", "Brothers and Sisters", and many more. His film resume is equally extensive from his latest "Elvis from Outer Space", the Nicholas Sparks film "The Longest Ride", "Juanita" with Alfre Woodard, "Masterminds" with Zach Galifianakis and Owen Wilson, Seth MacFarlane's "Ted 2" with Liam Neeson and Mark Wahlberg, to an assorted collection of wide-ranging memorable characters. His entertainment career spans over 35 years.

Barry is active in community drama and arts, volunteering to teach classes and offering motivational talks to aspiring artists. He is also active in social issues as a past national representative and speaker for Drug Free programs, and as a director for the Office of Problem Gambling. He is also a licensed financial advisor to select families and specializes in those in the entertainment field.

On Friday August 20^th, the Red-Carpet opening night begins with a special VIP reception at 5:30pm, followed by the opening night celebrations, awards, and introduction of opening night short films.

The Mendez Award is one of two major awards presented. The Nora Roberts Foundation Award is also to be presented on the festival's opening night. Filmmaker awards will be presented on Saturday August 21st, for Best Feature, Best Short, Best Animation, Best Student, Best Documentary, Best Local Film, and Best Foreign Film.

The first official Mendez Award was named after and was awarded to Antonio "Tony" Mendez, CIA Master of Disguise, Founder of the Spy Museum, and Award-Winning Author and Painter. His fame included the Best Picture film ARGO being produced about his actions in the CIA. Other recipients have included:

Joe Carnahan, Film Director and Producer, known as one of the most prolific filmmakers in Hollywood, and his ongoing support of MDIFF-H as Creative Director.
Nora Roberts, Author and Entrepreneur, known as the world's most famous Romance Writer, best-selling author, and contributor for Washington County's economic development and tourism.
Former Frederick County Councilmen Billy Shreve, known for his advocacy in supporting film in Maryland, and for being the driving force behind Classmates4Life (an anti-drug film festival for all school students in Frederick County, beginning a state-wide pilot program). The contest received national recognition for its public awareness campaign.
Kerry Cahill, award-winning actress from AMC’s The Walking Dead. Cahill was also a supporting actress in the Oscar nominated film “Mudbound” (2017). She was also recognized for her work with veterans’ organizations.
Amir Arison, award-winning actor, from NBC's “The Blacklist.” Arison was recognized for his ongoing support for Arts nonprofits, and for his work supporting treatment and help for people with mental illness and his passion for helping animal rescue and animal adoption.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan for his support of the film industry in Maryland, including signing into law the new film incentive program for small and independent productions. Governor Hogan was also recognized for his support of the Arts in Maryland, and for his tireless advocacy for the positive impact that Arts have on communities.

The Ninth Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown received more than 300 submissions prior the 2020’s festival but was delayed by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The judges announced that 118 films were selected. Opening night Friday August 20th is taking place at the Historic Maryland Theatre in Downtown Hagerstown. Other venues on Saturday and Sunday include the Washington County Free Library, The Grand Piano Ballroom, the new ACT Black Box Theatre, and the University System of Maryland Hagerstown Event Facility.

For more information about the festival, and to purchase tickets, see: www.marylandiff.org. The Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown partners with several local organizations, businesses, and individuals, and major sponsors include the City of Hagerstown, the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Washington County Government (Office of Grant Management), the Nora Roberts Foundation, Washington County Arts Council, Gideon Properties LLC, Homewood Suites by HILTON, and Tom Riford.