“Transference,” a psychological thriller that by design is ambiguous, is the runaway winner of the People’s Choice Award in Renton FilmFrenzy III.

Voting for the award was conducted at RentonReporter.com, following the Curvee Awards Gala Oct. 26. “Transference” received 225 votes out of the 660 that were cast online.

“Transference” didn’t win an award at the Curvee Gala. But in three years of FilmFrenzy competition, the film that received the Best Picture Curvee as determined by the judges has not placed at the top of the People’s Choice competition.

The concept of “Transference” was to explore the thoughts of a person – maybe the same one, maybe not – as he grows older, said the film’s producer, Andrew White of Woodinville.

The boy in the film’s beginning, standing next to Lake Washington, expresses a fear of something in his environment, the dark water of the lake. A young man, played by White, thinks about an abstract fear – cancer – while standing on the steps of Renton High School with a friend.

And, finally, an older version of the lead character driving through Renton is focused on a “bigger fear,” White said, a plane crash or death. Sitting next to him is the young boy. Viewers are left to wonder whether they have just heard the thoughts of one person or of three people somehow connected.

Prominent on the cheek of each actor is a mole that White said is intended to show that connection.

“Maybe there are people in society who have these kinds of thoughts, but they aren’t necessarily depressed,” White said. “They might be a normal state for people.”

The producers’ own description of the film online includes these lines:

“If you think everyone that seems happy is, then you underestimate reality. Understanding people requires more knowledge than what is on the surface.”

White said the producers had hoped for a mixed reaction to their film from viewers, as expressed by the online voters.

They got it.

• “Okay. This movie makes little to no sense. I’m almost positive the votes were stacked for this one because there wasn’t even really a plot?! What the heck…?”

•”Very good short film theme and structure. Tied the sections together nicely. Nice work”

• “Huh?”

• “I can relate…nice job….”

White said the producers actively promoted the film and the voting with friends and family via email but especially through Facebook.

“Transference” was White’s second FilmFrenzy entry. Last year, he worked with director Sarah Vest on “Superfur.” “Superfur” came in fourth in the People’s Choice voting.

The “Transference” team will receive the Curvee Award from Renton Reporter Publisher Ellen Morrison at Monday’s City Council meeting.

This is the third year for Renton FilmFrenzy, which is developing a relationship with the Seattle International Film Festival.

This year’s Best Picture award went to “Cliché and Carter,” produced by Chris Anderson and Sam Graydon.

Eighteen films were entered in the competition; the films were written, filmed and edited over a 50-hour period in early October.