THE ROCKET was voted by 27th Leeds International Film Festival audiences as overall favorite from 139 feature films. Set against the lush backdrop of rural Laos, The Rocket is described as a spirited, fable-like family drama from Australia that tells the story of ten-year-old Ahlo, who yearns to break free from his ill-fated destiny. After his village is displaced to make way for a massive dam, Ahlo escapes with his father and grandmother through the Laotian outback in search of a new home. Along the way, they come across a rocket festival with a competition that offers a lucrative, but dangerous, chance for a new beginning.The two feature films that were closest in the voting to The Rocket are both music documentaries, FILMAGE: THE STORY OF DESCENDENTS / ALL and REVENGE OF THE MEKONS. The top ten winners in the LIFF27 Audience Award for Best Film are: 1) The Rocket 2) Filmage: The Story of Descendents / ALL 3) Revenge of the Mekons 4) Final Cut, Ladies & Gentlemen 5) Ghost Graduation 6) Mistaken for Strangers 7) Brothers Hypnotic 8) We are the Best! 9) Gravity 10) Sign Painters.
27th Leeds International Film Festival announced its winning short films
Louis le Prince International Short Film Competition 2013
Winner: JUST BEFORE LOSING EVERYTHING (Avant que de tout perdre) (Dir. Xavier Legrand, France)
Special Mentions: Room 606 (Zimmer 606) (Dir. Peter Volkart, Switzerland) + We’re Flying (Wir Fliegen)(Dir. Ulrike Kofler, Austria/ Germany) Jury statement on Just Before Losing Everything:
‘The Jury was impressed by the tense and immediately affecting atmosphere of this film. Though seen on the first day this film remained with the jury. It maintains a momentum portraying a real life family drama that projects the terrifying reality of domestic violence.’
World Animation Award 2013
Winner: Guilt (Kalte) (Dir. Reda Bartkute, Lithuania)
Special Mention: Rabbit and Deer (Nyuszi és Őz) (Dir. Péter Vácz, Hungary)
+ In the air is Christopher Gray (Dir. Felix Massie, UK)
Jury statement on Guilt (Kalte):
‘The Jury was mesmerised by the surreal imagery and clear artistic vision of the Director. With a clear independent spirit the film told a story that could only be portrayed through the medium of animation.
‘British Short Film Competition 2013
Winner: Sea View (Dir. Jane Linfoot)
Special Mentions: L’Assenza (Dir. Jonathan Romney) + Getting On (Dir. Ninian Doff)
Jury statement on Sea View:
‘Elevated by an impressive central performance that suggests a talent beyond her years. The Jury felt that Sea View is accomplished in its atmosphere, sense of place and treatment of aesthetics. It sits well in the contemporary British cinema landscape.’
Yorkshire Short Film Competition 2013
Winner: OH MESSY LIFE (Dir. Jonathan Harrold)
Special Mention: Ratzilla (Dir. Rad Miller)
Jury statement on Oh Messy Life:
‘It was driven by a very clear and visual sense of storytelling. The Jury felt it captures the essence of what it is to be in love, and the fears and uncertainties that such feelings provoke.
‘The Silver Méliès Short Film Competition 2013
Winner: DEATH OF A SHADOW (Dood van een Schaduw) (Dir. Tom van Avermaet, Belgium / France, 2012)
Special Mentions: Shell Shocked (Dir. Dominic Brunt, UK, 2013) + Raw Meat (La Carne Cruda) (Samuel Lema, Spain, 2013)