Kona boys nominated for Canadian Screen Award

“Almost Had It All” a song from the feature film “A Date With Miss Fortune” has been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, Canada’s equivalent of the Oscars.

The song features local artists Jonny Stimac and his brother, Daniel Stimac. Daniel wrote the song, and Jonny directed the music video for it and also was featured on vocals along with Los Angeles vocalist Alexis Umathum.

Both Jonny and Daniel were born and raised in Kona. They have been working creatively together since they were kids. They have produce many different music and film projects together, including Jonny’s band, Goodbye Elliott; in which their younger brother Chris Stimac is a part of as well, playing lead guitar and backing vocals.

The keyboard player in Goodbye Elliott, Ryan Johnston also works closely with Jonny in all of their film ventures. Jonny and Johnston have a film and music studio in Kailua-Kona called “Big Island Studios.”

“A lot of successful relationships and projects have come through over the years, stemming from Goodbye Elliott. It’s fun to see,” said Jonny. “Even Jordan Smallwood our drummer in Goodbye Elliott is a writer on many of our projects.”

More recently Jonny directed the feature film adventure, “SPIT — The Story of a Caveman and a Chicken,” which took home the award for best picture at the Honolulu Film Festival. Johnston was the cinematographer for the film, and Daniel was the composer.

“We are all so excited to be considered for the Canadian Screen Award. It is such an honor,” said Jonny. “Danny wrote such a beautiful song and we are all so proud of the music video.”

The Canadian Screen Awards take place this Sunday.