Film Festivals

Whistler Film Festival Unveils Complete 2014 Film Lineup

THE IMITATION GAME

The Whistler Film Festival taking place December 3 to 7, unveiled its complete 2014 film lineup featuring original films from around the world and more feature premieres than ever before. THE IMITATION GAME (Western Canadian Premiere) and Audience Award winner at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival is this year’s Opening Night Gala presentation starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing in his efforts to break the Nazi’s Enigma Code during World War Two at Britain’s top secret Blectchley Park. WFF’s Closing Night Gala film is the World Premiere of SNOWMAN by Whistler filmmaker and ‘godfather of free skiing’, Mike Douglas, following avalanche controller Kevin Foglin’s close call with the mountains in Douglas’ tribute to mountain culture lifestyle and living in Whistler.

Five films make up this year’s Special Presentations including the Canadian Premiere of crime drama A MOST VIOLENT YEAR from director J.C. Chandor and starring Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac, as an immigrant and his family trying to expand their business in New York City’s most violent year in its history, 1981. The Western Canadian premieres include STILL ALICE directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland and starring Julianne Moore as the titular character battling Alzheimer, and thriller ’71, directed by Yann Demange, which has received nine nominations in the Independent British Awards, and follows a British solider accidentally abandoned by his unit following riots on the streets of Belfast. Other Special Presentations include the BC Premiere of American remake of Spanish language hit ELSA & FRED starring Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer directed by Michael Radford and the Whistler

Premiere of Academy Award front runner and portrait of a marriage, James Marsh’s THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING starring Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking and Felicity Jones as his wife Jane as they fight the odds of his ALS diagnosis to change the face of science in the 20th century.

Returning programming strands include the 11th annual Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature presented by the Directors Guild of Canada – British Columbia featuring six diverse titles competing for $15,000 cash prize and a $15,000 Post Production prize, the second highest award of its kind in Canada. This year’s Borsos competition will also showcase three World Premieres AFTER THE BALL, WOLVES (LES LOUPS) and MOUNTAIN MEN and three Western Canadian Premieres BANG BANG BABY, RELATIVE HAPPINESS and FELIX AND MEIRA, which won Best Canadian Film at TIFF14.

The World Documentary competition returns with five titles in addition to SNOWMAN, including A LIFE IN DIRTY MOVIES (Canadian Premiere) from director Wiktor Ericsson highlighting the lives sexploitation director Joe Sarno and his devoted wife Peggy, POINT AND SHOOT (Western Canadian Premiere) by two time Academy Award nominated documentarian Marshall Curry and winner of Best Documentary at Tribeca 2014 which follows Matt Van Dyke’s 35,000 mile motorcycle trip that leads to his involvement in the Libyan fight against Muammar Gaddadfi, and MERCHANTS OF DOUBT (Western Canadian Premiere) in whichRobert Kenner investigates the shadowy world of professional skeptics for corporations, think tanks and special interest groups who cast doubt on climate change. Other documentaries include the previously announced STAY AWHILE (World Premiere) directed by Jessica Edwards, the daughter of two of the members of the Canadian supergroup The Bells who are affectionately profiled, THE BACKWARD CLASS by Madeleine Grant following a class of students from India’s lowest Castes working toward college entrance exams, and THAT GUY DICK MILLER, following Hollywood character actor Dick Miller from Elijah Drenner.

WFF’s World Now will showcase four films from diverse corners of the world including the Western Canadian Premieres of IN HER PLACE (Canada/South Korea) directed by Albert Shin; GEMMA BOVERY(France) from Anne Fontaine; Hitchcockian thriller THE NEW GIRLFRIEND (France) directed by François Ozon, and the Simon Pegg starrer KILL ME THREE TIMES (Australia), directed by Kriv Stenders.

Late Night selections will showcase four great genre films including the World Premiere of BAD CITYdirected by Carl Bessai; the North American premiere of DEADLY VIRTUES directed by Ate de Jong; andthe Western Canadian premieres of TIFF14 Midnight Madness winner WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS directed by Jemaine Clement (one half of musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords) and Taika Waititi,and the UK’s THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY directed by Peter Strickland.

A selection of all age friendly flicks make up the Family program, including the Western Canadian Premiere of the 24th entry in the TALES FOR ALL series, legendary Canadian family content producer Rock Demers’ THE OUTLAW LEAGUE directed by Jean Beaudry, and the Whistler Premiere of Irish animated film SONG OF THE SEA by Academy Award Winner Tomm Moore (SECRET OF THE KELLS).

WFF’s second From The Vault strand includes the Western Canadian premiere of three long lost shorts featuring legendary comedic actor Peter Sellers in the Peters Sellers Trilogy, COLD COMFORT (1957),DEARTH OF A SALESMAN (1957), and INSOMNIA IS GOOD FOR YOU (1957).

New for 2014, the Gen Next strand features five Canadian titles including the World Premieres of AFTER FILM SCHOOL directed by Joel Ashton McCarthy, PRETEND WE’RE KISSING from director Matt Sadowski and produced by Whistler’s own Peter Harvey, THE COCKSURE LADS MOVIE directed and written by Murray Foster, and WHAT AN IDIOT directed and produced respectively by Vancouver couple Peter and Julia Benson. The Western Canadian premiere of BACKCOUNTRY directed by Adam McDonald and starring Missy Peregrym is also included.

The Discoveries strand includes the Western Canadian Premieres of I PUT A HIT ON YOU directed by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart, prairie noir BIG MUDDY directed by Jefferson Moneo and WE WERE WOLVES by Jordan Canning. Also included is the BC Premiere of ALLY WAS SCREAMING by Jeremy Thomas.

WFF’s American Indies strand covers the gamut from the ‘Do It Yourself’ filmmaking of Jeffrey P. Nesker’s ELSEWHERE NY to the major Hollywood production of Whistler Premiere THE HOMESMAN directed by Tommy Lee Jones starring Jones and Hilary Swank, to the Canadian Premiere of Jay Craven’s NORTHERN BORDERS starring 2013 Academy Award Nominee Bruce Dern and Geneviève Bujold in between.

This year’s ShortWork Competition is comprised of 44 diverse shorts curated into six programs, including strands devoted to comedy and Aboriginal shorts.

WFF 2014 Complete Feature Film Listing:

World Premieres:
AFTER FILM SCHOOL (Canada) Dir. Joel Ashton McCarthy
AFTER THE BALL (Canada) Dir. Sean Garrity
BAD CITY (Canada) Dir. Carl Bessai
ELSEWHERE NY (Canada) Dir. Jeffrey P. Nesker
THE COCKSURE LADS MOVIE (Canada) Dir. Murray Foster
MOUNTAIN MEN (Canada) Dir. Cameron Labine
PRETEND WE’RE KISSING (Canada) Dir. Matt Sadowski
SNOWMAN (Canada) Dir. Mike Douglas
STAY AWHILE (Canada) Dir. Jessica Edwards
WHAT AN IDIOT (Canada) Dir. Peter Benson
WOLVES (LES LOUPS) (Canada) Dir. Sophie Deraspe

North American Premieres:
DEADLY VIRTUES (Netherlands) Dir. Ate de Jong

Canadian Premieres:
A LIFE IN DIRTY MOVIES (Sweden) Dir. Wiktor Ericsson
A MOST VIOLENT YEAR (USA) Dir. J.C. Chandor
NORTHERN BORDERS (USA) Dir. Jay Craven
THAT GUY DICK MILLER (USA) Dir. Elijah Drenner

Western Canadian Premieres:
’71 (United Kingdom) Dir. Yann Demange
THE BACKWARD CLASS (Canada) Dir. Madeleine Grant
BANG BANG BABY (Canada) Dir. Jeffrey St Jules
BIG MUDDY (Canada) Dir. Jefferson Moneo
DUKE OF BURGUNDY (United Kingdom) Dir. Peter Strickland
FELIX AND MEIRA (Canada) Dir. Maxime Giroux
THE IMITATION GAME (United Kingdom) Dir. James Marsh
I PUT A HIT ON YOU (Canada) Dir. Dane Clark, Linsey Stewart
IN HER PLACE (Canada/South Korea) Dir. Albert Shin
KILL ME THREE TIMES (Australia) Dir. Kriv Stenders
PETER SELLERS TRILOGY (United Kingdom) Dir. James Hill, Leslie Arliss
THE NEW GIRLFRIEND (France) Dir. François Ozon
THE OUTLAW LEAGUE (Canada) Dir. Jean Beaudry
RELATIVE HAPPINESS (Canada) Dir. Deanne Foley
STILL ALICE (USA) Dir. Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
WE WERE WOLVES (Canada) Dir. Jordan Canning
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (New Zealand) Dir. Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi

British Columbia Premieres:
ELSA & FRED (USA) Dir. Michael Radford
GEMMA BOVERY (France) Dir. Anne Fontaine
MERCHANTS OF DOUBT (USA) Dir. Robert Kenner
ALLY WAS SCREAMING (Canada) Dir. Jeremy Thomas

Whistler Premieres:
SONG OF THE SEA (Ireland) Dir. Tomm Moore
THE HOMESMAN (USA) Dir. Tommy Lee Jones
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (United Kingdom) Dir. James Marsh
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Jalopnik Film Festival Opens November 5 in NYC

IGNITION

The second annual Jalopnik Film Festival opens Wednesday, November 5th with a party at the Classic Car Club Manhattan. On November 6th, there will be a party in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at Nitehawk Cinema that will include premieres, cars, music, eating, and drinking. Films screened will include IGNITION, presented with Volvo Cars, in addition to the Official Selection and jury selections.

Some highlights from the Official Selection are:

AYRTON’S WISH by Tamir Moscivici (Spy Films)

A short film about the Senna foundation that shows the legacy of the deceased F1 driver’s generous contributions to the people of Brazil.

Hardigree describes AYRTON’S WISH as “a moving short film about Ayrton Senna that shows, in beautiful detail, just how important the F1 driver’s legacy was to the children of Brazil.”

This will be the film’s world premiere.

APEX: THE STORY OF THE HYPERCAR by J.F. Musial (Tangent Vector)

World premiere sneak preview of APEX: THE STORY OF THE HYPERCAR, the upcoming documentary about the world’s most extreme hypercars from Ferrari, Porsche, Pagani, Koenigsegg and more.

Hardigree says, “J.F. Musial is already one of the most talented directors in the automotive world, as his work with /DRIVE has shown, and we’re proud to be the first people to show his magnus opus to the world. After seeing a few of the mind blowing clips I knew we had to have it for the JFF.”

APEX: THE STORY OF THE HYPERCAR is the first documentary to be shot entirely in Sony 4K high definition. J.F. Musial also has a “Jury Selection” in the festival. Check out the trailer below

http://youtu.be/DMHLNcwysd8

These films join the already announced jury selections by judges writer/director/producer and investment professional James Glickenhaus, Bloomberg Television anchor Matt Miller, commercial film director Jeff Zwart, filmmaker Tamir Moscovici, writer and television personality Spike Ferensten, and actor Dax Shepard.

The winners are:

“Nagoya Streets” by Alexander Rosen

“One-Take Porsche Pit-Stop – /DRIVE MOMENT” by /DRIVE “

Regular Car Reviews: 2005 BMW 330Ci” by Regular Cars

“Turbine Truck vs Turbine Chopper- Bonneville” by Ole Schell

“Driving this Ferrari GTO is a Certain Kind of Ecstasy” by Petrolicious

“FY RACING – Oregon Trail Rally 2014” by Alex Tabaczka

“Where They Raced: Speed Demons in the City of Angels” by Harry Palenberg

This year’s festival will include the short film being produced with Volvo Cars, the seven films above, and the Official Selections.

http://youtu.be/picIdUCbyzE
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5th Williamsburg Independent Film Festival Opens November 20th

Like Sunday Like Rain

The Williamsburg Independent Film Festival celebrates its 5th year opening on Thursday, November 20 and running through Sunday, November 23, 2014. Launched in 2010, the festival has showcased independent films from around the world, many with a focus on Williamsburg and Brooklyn.

According to Peter Bloch, a Co-Director of the festival, “Final selections for the festival were completed on October 21, from among 272 entries by emerging film makers in 53 countries. This is the largest international response that WillFilm has had and it shows that Williamsburg and Brooklyn continue to inspire and draw creative people from around the globe.” After four very well received years at IndieScreen, the film festival looks forward to a move this November to its new home at the Wythe Hotel on the Northside. “Everyone will enjoy the screenings and celebrating these talented storytellers at the Wythe Hotel and they will feel right at home in this new venue.”

The schedule of festival screenings includes the premieres of Like Sunday Like Rain, directed by Frank Whaley and starring Debra Messing, Billie Joe Armstrong and Leighton Meester. The opening night spotlight film of WillFilm 5 is the NYC premier of LIKE SUNDAY LIKE RAIN, written and directed by Frank Whaley (PULP FICTION, SWIMMING WITH SHARKS). This is Mr. Whaley’s fourth film as writer/director- his first film, JOE THE KING premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and won the prestigious Waldo Salt Award. As an actor he has appeared in over seventy-five films. The Festival will also feature the directorial debut of Skeet Ulrich (AS GOOD AS IT GETS, SCREAM). Ulrich’s film THE GIRL ON THE ROOF, stars Todd Lowe and Lenny James.

Also, featured, Recursion directed Tony & Olivier Award Nominee Sam Buntrock and starring Tony Nominee Rob McClure. Another notable entry includes “1946″ starring British actor Andrew Buchan. It depicts Jimmy Stewart’s life crisis before accepting his iconic role in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Other entries feature cameo performances by Doris Roberts and Courtney Cox. Past honorees and guests include Cathy Moriarty, Federico Castellucio, Skeet Ulrich, Keir Gilchrist, Chloe Dahl, Gail Lerner, Rene Balcer, Michael Urie,Illeana Douglas, Daryl Roth, and Julia Ormand.

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Andie MacDowell to Receive Inaugural Spirit & Pride of South Carolina Award at 2015 Beaufort International Film Festival

Multi-talented actress and model, Andie MacDowell, will be presented the inaugural Spirit & Pride of South Carolina Award at the 9th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival being held February 11 – 15, 2015.

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Bahamas International Film Festival Unveils 2014 Poster

The Bahamas International Film Festival, set for December 4th through 14th, has unveiled its 2014 promotional poster designed by artist Ryan “Duser” Stubbs.
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“HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT” Wins Top Prize at 2014 Tokyo International Film Festival

Heaven Knows What

Heaven Knows What, a drama that focuses on the bleak prospects of young junkies struggling to survive in New York, is the winner of the Tokyo Grand Prix at the 2014 Tokyo International Film Festival. The film’s directors Joshua Safdie and Benny Safdie also won the Award for Best Director. This raw depiction of young junkies struggling to stay alive was adapted for the screen by the Safdie Brothers (Benny and Joshua) based on a real-life account by the film’s female lead, Arielle Holmes. The audience picked Pale Moon directed by Daihachi Yoshida, about a normal housewife who unexpectedly becomes involved in a large embezzlement, for the Audience Award.

Awards of 27th Tokyo International Film Festival

Tokyo Grand Prix
“HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT“
Director:Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie

Special Jury Prize
“The Lesson“

Award for Best Director
Joshua Safdie, Benny Safdie
“HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT“

Award for Best Actress
Rie Miyazawa
“Pale Moon“

Award for Best Actor
Robert Więckiewicz
“The Mighty Angel“

Award for Best Artistic Contribution
“Test“

Audience Award
“Pale Moon“

WOWOW Viewer’s Choice Award
“Test“

Best Asian Future Film Award
“Borderless“

The Spirit of Asia Award
by the Japan Foundation Asia Center
Director: Sotho Kulikar（“The Last Reel”）

Japanese Film Splash, Best Picture Award
“100 Yen Love”

Japanese Film Splash, Special Mention
“Ecotherapy Getaway Holiday”

SAMURAI Award
Takeshi Kitano
Tim Burton

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Six Producers Selected for Whistler Film Festival Feature Project Lab

Six producers from across Canada have been selected to participate in the Whistler Film Festival’s annual Feature Project Lab, held from December 2 to 5, 2014 during the Whistler Film Festival + Summit. Designed to advance Canadian creative talent, the WFF Feature Project Lab focuses on strengthening dramatic feature projects from script to screen by facilitating feedback as well as collaboration on and investment in film projects that have US and international appeal.

The six producers and projects selected for WFF’s 2014 Feature Project Lab are:

Amber Ripley, Goodbye Productions (BC) with the darkly comedic DREAMLAND written by Tony Burgess.

Angela Heck, Fringe Filmworks, Inc. (MB) with the family drama BUMPERSHINES written by Cathryn Atkinson.

Farah Merani, Lifeguard Productions (ON) with the suspense drama GOOD NIGHT AMHERST written by James Fanizza.

Jason James, Resonance Films (BC) with the empty-nester road trip film THE MOTHER OUTLAWS written by Garfield Lindsey.

Luke Black, Pretty Okay Pictures (ON) with the Sci-Fi/Action story TO BE CONTINUED written by Grant & Stu Marks.

Martin de Valk, Chiaro Productions (BC) with the claustrophobic thriller CONTAINER written by Brian Paisley, Keith Digby and Martin de Valk.
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“Testament of Youth” Opens the 28th Leeds International Film Festival

Testament of Youth

Testament of Youth opens the 28th Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF28) on Wednesday 5th November, with very special guests James Kent (director) and Rosie Alison (producer) in attendance. Backed by Screen Yorkshire and filmed primarily in the region, Testament of Youth is the first big screen adaptation of Vera Brittain’s iconic and powerful WW1 memoir. Irrepressible and free-minded, Vera Brittain overcomes the prejudices of her family and hometown to win a scholarship to Oxford. With everything to live for, she falls in love with her brother’s close friend Roland Leighton as they go to university to pursue their literary dreams. But war is looming and everything will change. From award-winning television director James Kent, Testament of Youth stars Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Dominic West and Emily Watson.

LIFF28’s Opening Night will be a double Yorkshire spectacular of particular interest to fans of the festival’s Fanomenon horror and cult film strand, as we follow Testament of Youth with the World Premiere of The Taking. Two market stall holders’ dreams of opening a tea room are shattered when they fall foul of a sociopathic loan shark in this intense new thriller directed by Dominic Brunt, who will make a special guest appearance along with cast members. Known foremost for his role as Paddy on ITV’s Emmerdale, Brunt is an emerging filmmaking talent with a penchant for suspense.

Catch Me Daddy

Catch Me Daddy and X+Y, two other films which were supported with investment from Screen Yorkshire’s Yorkshire Content Fund also feature at the festival. Cast and crew will be in attendance for Cannes Film Festival selection Catch Me Daddy, a remarkable and visceral chase thriller by Daniel Wolfe (the award-winning director of Plan B’s music videos), in which a girl on the run from her family is hiding out in West Yorkshire when her brother arrives in town with a vicious gang to track her down. British screen favourite Sally Hawkins and Asa Butterfield star in Toronto International Film Festival hit X+Y, about an autistic maths prodigy who begins to experience the world differently under the guidance of an unconventional maths teacher.

Other screenings in LIFF28’s Yorkshire film line-up include Mr Somebody?, about eccentric Huddersfield resident Jake Mangle Wurzel; To Hell With Culture, exploring the life of Yorkshire poet Herbert Read and the Yorkshire Short Film Competition.

LIFF28’s Testament of Youth screening coincides with Remembrance Sunday this coming weekend, and leads an important programme of films and events commemorating the centenary of World War One in the festival’s War on Film programme.

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“Produce” “Becoming Bulletproof” Among Audience Choice Award Winners of 2014 Heartland Film Festival

In the final awards of the 2014 Heartland Film Festival, Produce directed by Chris Dowling is the Audience Choice Award Winner, Narrative Feature, and Becoming Bulletproof, directed by Michael Barnett is the Audience Choice Award Winner, Documentary Feature. The 23rd annual Heartland Film Festival ran October 16 to 25, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

2014 Heartland Film Festival Audience Choice Award Winners

Produce – 2014 Heartland Film Festival Audience Choice Award Winner, Narrative Feature

In St. Matthews, Kentucky, Calvin, a professional baseball player sent to an early retirement due to his panic attacks at the plate, is struggling with the curveball life has thrown him. With his two best friends, he sleepwalks through his days and the challenge of raising his teenager daughter. His life is awakened and invigorated by the most unlikely person – a kid with Down syndrome named Produce who works at the local grocery store.

Calvin slowly loses the chip on his shoulder as he begins to see the world through Produce’s eyes. Family, faith and purpose work their way back into Calvin’s life as their friendship develops. The unlikely pair becomes intertwined in a way that gives Calvin meaning and purpose, ultimately leading to tragedy due to a single decision echoed from Calvin’s past.

Becoming Bulletproof – 2014 Heartland Film Festival Audience Choice Award Winner, Documentary Feature

A.J. Murray, 29, has cerebral palsy and lives with his mother, Cynthia, who takes care of him full-time in their Atlanta home. To their great surprise, A.J., who has always dreamed of acting in films, is invited to participate in a camp designed to help build a community (rather than paid “staff and clients”) to support friendships between people with and without disabilities.

Weaving between 1890s period drama and behind-thescenes realities, this documentary follows A.J. mastering lines, pushing through take after take and showing up in costume on time. As A.J. grapples with these high expectations and grows and gains in spirit, he becomes part of a vibrant community of friends working together to produce a lasting artwork. Through his story we gain a moving vision of what a more inclusive, creative, desegregated world might look like.

Showfolk – 2014 Heartland Film Festival Audience Choice Award Winner, Documentary Short

Till Then – 2014 Heartland Film Festival Audience Choice Award Winner, Narrative Short

2014 Heartland Film Festival Best Premiere Award Winners

Highway to Dhampus – 2014 Heartland Film Festival Best Premiere Award Winner, Narrative Feature

Elizabeth James is in trouble in the tabloids again, and her parents (and publicist) have had enough. In an attempt to turn her image around, she has been sent to Ghandruk, Nepal to do charity work at an isolated orphanage with jaded photographer Colt Morgan in tow. The fastest way to reach Ghandruk is by air, and they are flown by young but accomplished mountain pilot Ajit Thapa, who bristles at Elizabeth’s caustic demeanor. When they reach Ghandruk they meet Laxmi, the beaming head matron of the village’s orphanage, which lies in the shadow of the majestic Mount Machhapuchchhre, or “Fish Tail” mountain.

These four individuals from four different worlds will learn what it means to be charitable, to give and to love, but what unfolds will change their lives forever.

Dukale’s Dream – 2014 Heartland Film Festival Best Premiere Award Winner, Documentary Feature

Actor Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness traveled to Ethiopia in their role as ambassadors for World Vision Australia in 2009. During that visit, they met Dukale, a coffee farmer. Growing up, poverty had deprived Dukale of an education, but he saw an opportunity to create a new future for his family when World Vision offered access to a new kind of economic empowerment. Jackman was so inspired by Dukale’s story, that he made – and kept – a promise to him that is revealed in the film.

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“THE IMITATION GAME” “RED ARMY” Among Winners of Audience Choice Awards at Chicago International Film Festival

THE IMITATION GAME

The 50th Chicago International Film Festival announced the winners of the Audience Choice Awards, THE IMITATION GAME (UK/USA), directed by Morten Tyldum won the Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative English-Language Feature, THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED (SWEDEN), directed by Felix Herngren won the Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative Foreign-Language Feature, and RED ARMY (USA), directed by Gabe Polsky won the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary Feature.

And the winners are:

Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative English-Language Feature:
THE IMITATION GAME (UK/USA), Director: Morten Tyldum
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Alan Turing, the genius British mathematician, logician, cryptologist and computer scientist who led the charge to crack the German Enigma Code that helped the Allies win WWII. Turing went on to assist with the development of computers at the University of Manchester after the war, but was prosecuted in 1952 by the UK government for homosexual acts which the country deemed illegal at the time.

THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED

Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative Foreign-Language Feature:
THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED (SWEDEN), Director: Felix Herngren
Hilarity ensues when an elderly man discovers a suitcase full of money and embarks on a fantastic adventure, involving a frozen corpse, a circus elephant, and a biker gang. Meanwhile, episodes from his past reveal his decades-long proclivity for changing the course of history. Based on the bestselling novel by Jonas Jonasson, this crowd-pleasing Swedish take on “Forrest Gump” combines sidesplitting comedy with genuine tenderness.

RED ARMY

Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary Feature:
RED ARMY (USA), Director: Gabe Polsky
From Emmy award-winning Chicago filmmaker Gabe Polsky, “Red Army” is a documentary about the Soviet Union and the most successful dynasty in sports history: the Red Army hockey team. Told from the perspective of its captain Slava Fetisov, the story portrays his transformation from national hero to political enemy. An inspiring Cold War drama played out on the ice rink, “Red Army” follows a man who stood up to a powerful system and paved the way for change.

ON BEAUTY

Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film:
ON BEAUTY (USA), Director: Joanna Rudnick
From Emmy-nominated filmmaker Joanna Rudnick (“In the Family”), “On Beauty” follows former fashion photographer Rick Guidotti as he focuses his lens on people who are often excluded or misrepresented in popular media. Highlighting vibrant individuals with genetic conditions, Rick’s work challenges conventional visions and helps redefine notions of beauty.

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LEVIATHAN Wins Top Award at 2014 Abu Dhabi Film Festival

The winners of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival’s Black Pearl Awards in the three feature film competition categories, Narrative Features, New Horizons and Documentary Competition, were revealed by the festival at their awards ceremony, and LEVIATHAN directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev won the top prize. The awards ceremony marked the grand finale of the eighth edition of ADFF. Additionally, juries announced the winners of the Child Protection Award, the Fipresci and Netpac Award, as well as the Audience Award.

Narrative Competition Winners 2014

Black Pearl Award
LEVIATHAN
directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev

Special Jury Awards
TEST
directed by Alexander Kott

Best Actor
ALEXEY SEREBRYAKOV
from the film LEVIATHAN directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev

Best Actress
MARIA BONNEVIE
from the film A SECOND CHANCE directed by Susanne Bier

Best Film from the Arab World
MEMORIES ON STONE
directed by Shawkat Amin Korki

Best Director from the Arab World
GHASSAN SALHAB
director of The Valley

Special Mention ~ Narrative Competition
TIMBUKTU
directed by Abderrahmane Sissako

New Horizons Competition Winners 2014

Black Pearl Award
THE WONDERS
directed by Alice Rohrwacher

Special Jury Awards
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
directed by Dietrich Brüggemann

Best Actor
Doğan Ïzci
from the film SIVAS directed by Kaan Müjdeci

Best Actress
Yoon Da-kyung
from the film IN HER PLACE directed by Albert Shin

Best Film from the Arab World
THEEB
directed by Naji Abu Nowar

Best Director from the Arab World
LYÈS SALEM
director of THE MAN FROM ORAN

Special Mention ~ New Horizons Competition
LABOUR OF LOVE
directed by Aditya Vikram Sengupta

Documentary Competition Winners 2014

Black Pearl Award
VIRUNGA
directed by Orlando Von Einsiedel

Special Jury Award
NEXT GOAL WINS
directed by Mike Brett & Steve Jamison

Best Documentary from the Arab World
THE WANTED 18
directed by Amer Shomali & Paul Cowan

Best Director from the Arab World
YASMIN FEDDA
director of QUEENS OF SYRIA

Special Mention ~ Documentary Competition
RETURN TO HOMS
directed by Talal Derki

Child Protection Award Winners 2014

Best Film
IN HER PLACE
directed by Albert Shin

Best Script
SIVAS
directed by Kaan Müjdeci

Special Mention
Actor DENIS MURIC
in the film NO ONE’S CHILD directed by Vuk Ršumović

FIPRESCI AWARD for Best Narrative Film

THEEB
directed by Naji Abu Nowar

FIPRESCI AWARD for Best Documentary

UM GHAYEB (MOTHER OF THE UNBORN)
directed by Nadine Salib

NETPAC AWARD for Best Asian Film

IRAQI ODYSSEY
directed by Samir

Audience Choice Award Winner 2014
THE SALT OF THE EARTH
directed by Wim Wenders & Juliano Ribeiro Salgado
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Abu Dhabi Film Festival Announces Winners of Emirates Film Competition and International Short Film Competition

The Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) announced the 2014 winners of the Emirates Film Competition and the International Short Film Competition. Below is the full list of winners.

SHORT NARRATIVE COMPETITION:

1st Prize Short Narrative Competition
EYE & MERMAID
directed by Shahad Ameen

2nd Prize Short Narrative Competition
KOSHK
directed by Abdullah Al Kaabi

Special Jury Award Short Narrative Competition
GIRL & IT
directed by Mohammed Fikree

STUDENT SHORT NARRATIVE COMPETITION:

1st Prize Student Short Narrative Competition
SHATTERED
directed by Alya Al Shamsi

2nd Prize Student Short Narrative Competition
LEVEL
directed by Al Hamza Alsadr & Ibrahim Mohammed

3rd Prize Student Short Narrative Competition
BELONGING
directed by Joud Al Amry

SHORT DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION:

1st Prize Short Documentary Competition
MARWAN THE BOXER
directed by Hassan Kiyani

STUDENT SHORT DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION:

1st Prize Student Short Documentary Competition
ICE FLOWER
directed by Sheren Abououf

2nd Prize Student Short Documentary Competition
LULU: A PEARL’S STORY
directed by Shaikha Al Ameri & Mariam Suleiman

3rd Prize Student Short Documentary Competition
BEHIND SCHOOL WALLS
directed by Asma Hinawi

OTHER EFC AWARDS:

Best Cinematography
EYE & MERMAID
Shot by Thomas Hines

Best Script
CHOLO
Written by Muzna Al Musafer

Best Emirati Film
THE NEIGHBOUR
directed by Nayla Al Khaja

SPECIAL MENTIONS:

RAINBOW
directed by Mahmood Al Shaikh
Short Narrative Competition

ZAINAB
directed by Mohammed Al Ibrahim
Short Narrative Competition

DON’T LEAVE ME
directed by Khalid Al Mahmood
Short Narrative Competition

NOW SHOWING
directed by Abdullah Al-Daihani
Short Narrative Competition

FEMALE SCREAM
directed by Nasser Al Tamimi
Short Narrative Competition

NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY ABU DHABI “ASPIRING FILMMAKER AWARDS”:

NYFA Abu Dhabi Aspiring Filmmaker Award
HIDDEN SONGS OF THE PAST
directed by Hind Al Ali

NYFA Abu Dhabi Aspiring Filmmaker Award
YOUSSEF
directed by Hamed Al Harthy

International Short Film Competition Winners 2014

Best Narrative Short Film

THE MAN WITH A DOG
directed by Kamal Lazraq

Best Documentary:

LOVE IN THE TIME OF MARCH MADNESS
directed by Melissa Johnson and Robertino Zambrano.

Best Animated Short Film

ME+HER
directed by Joseph Oxford

Best Film from the Arab World

FATHER
directed by Lotfi Achour

Best Producer Award

Jérémy Rochigneux
with the short film THE BIONIC GIRL
directed by Stéphanie Cabdevila

Best Producer from the Arab World

Abdulla Al Kaabi
with the short film KOSHK
directed by Abdulla Al Kaabi
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