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Calgary International Film Festival Announces 2009 Award Winners
Every year, the Calgary International Film Festival bestows a series of high profile awards on invited filmmakers to reward their diligence in the craft of moviemaking. This year, the Festival’s tenth season, in addition to awarding cash prizes and acclaim for eight prestigious and sponsored awards, CIFF also stepped onto the world stage by awarding one of the largest cash prizes on the international festival circuit for its inaugural Mavericks program.
At a gala celebration held at the closing of the Festival, the following award winners were announced.
2009 Mavericks Award – Chris Chong Chan Fui for Karaoke
Chris Chong Chan Fui (director/producer/writer) is a Borneo-Malaysian-born filmmaker and media artist focused on unconventional stories and experimentation between traditional cinema and new media arts. Chris’ latest experimental work, Block B, won the top short film prize at Argentina’s 2008 Mar del Plata Film Festival and the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival for the second year in a row. His first feature, Karaoke, was invited to Berlin Film Festival’s Script Clinic in 2007 and was selected to participate in the Hong Kong-Asian Film Financing Forum (HAF) in 2008. It was completed in May 2009. An Official Selection Cannes Director’s Fortnight 2009 and Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2009. For his recognition as the 2009 Maverick award winner, Chris Chong Chan Fui was presented with a prize of $25,000, sponsored by American Express.
2009 Best of Alberta - A Tax On Pochsy
Arts phenom, and in this case: film director, Karen Hines took home the coveted Best of Alberta Award in its first season as the Closing Gala at CIFF-- including prizes from the National Film Board, Corkscrew Media, and Joe Media Group. Congratulations to Karen and the entire cast and crew on this amazing film. The high profile jury was mightily impressed in not only this winner, but the entire ten film package. Set in the waiting room at an audit from hell, Pochsy, a mercury-poisoned factory worker who glows like the ghost of a silent film star and is pretty as the corpse, provides her part confession, and part alibi.
Best Documentary Feature – Tibet in Song
In its Canadian premiere, Tibet in Song was recognized as Best Documentary Feature. In 1995, director and producer Ngawang Choephel was arrested in Tibet on charges of espionage by Chinese authorities. He was sentenced to eighteen years in prison, serving nearly seven years before his highly publicized release in 2002. Tibet in Song is Ngawang’s story, but also follows the thousand of Tibetans engaged in the fight for their cultural heritage.
Special Mention/New Voices in Documentary – 45365
Making its Alberta premiere, 45265 captures small town American life, following the lives of the town’s residents as their storylines coalesce into a mosaic of faces, places and events. Filmmakers Bill Ross and Turner Ross deliver slices of life in gorgeous HD photography, delivering a powerful portrait of humanity.
Best International Feature – Katalin Varga
Banished by her husband and her village, Katalin Varga is left with no choice than to set out on a quest to fin the real father of her son, Orban. Taking Orban with her under another pretense, Katalin travels through the Capathians where she decides to reopen a sinister chapter from her past and take revenge. Directed by Peter Strickland, the CIFF screening of Katalin Varga marked the film’s North American premiere.
Special Mention/New Voices in Fiction – Can Go Through Skin
Award-winning director Ester Rots’ feature film debut, Can Go Through Skin, is a taut psychological drama with light touches telling the story of Marieke, a carefree woman in her thirties whose life is transformed by a brutal act of violence. An Official Selection of Cannes 2009, the film made its Alberta debut at CIFF.
CityTV Best Canadian Feature – High Life
High Life is a comedic heist story. Set in 1983, just after the birth of the Automated Teller Machine, it tells of kinship, loyalty and honour amongst thieves. An Official Selection Berlin International Film Festival 2009 and Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2009, the film’s CIFF screening was the first for Alberta.
Best Documentary Short – 12 Notes Down
Directed by Andreas Koefoed, 12 Notes Down tells the story of fourteen-year-old Jorgis, a gifted choir boy. A few weeks before the choir’s biggest concert, his vocal coach delivers a shocking note: Jorgis’ voice is starting to break. 12 notes down.
Best Animated Short - Skhizein
Struck by a meteorite, Henry has to adapt to living precisely 91cms from himself. Directed by Jeremy Clapin, Skhizein was awarded Best Animated Short amongst 10 other competitors.
Best Live Action Short – Miracle Fish
After falling asleep in the sick bay, wishing everyone in the world would go away, little Joe wakes up to find his dream may have become a reality. Directed by Australian Luke Doolan.
Programming Selects/Outstanding Achievement – Danse Macabre
For a period of time, while we believe it to be perfectly still, lifeless flesh responds, stirs and contorts in a final macabre ballet. Directed by Pedro Pires, the Canadian production celebrated its Alberta Premiere at CIFF.
