TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 6, 2010) - Presented by TELUS, CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival (WSFF) proudly presented 10 awards and over $70,000 in cash and prizes to this year's top filmmakers at the 2010 CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival Awards Picnic. Offering one of the largest prize packages for short film in the world, the WSFF honoured this year's exceptional filmmakers in the presence of over 500 industry delegates and filmmakers from around the globe.
One of only three Canadian festivals accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences®, WSFF Canadian award winners are eligible for Genie Awards, while winners of the awards for Best Live-Action Short and Best Animated Short become eligible for the Academy Awards®.
"This year's selection of award-winning shorts represents an eclectic artistic range that has pushed short films to the next level," said Eileen Arandiga, Festival Director. The CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival is proud to honour these exceptional artists. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our esteemed jury members Jason Ryle, João Garção Borges, Rachelle Lefevre, Jing Haase and Aparna Kapur as well as our sponsors who provide these awards in support of emerging talent. Nurturing the next generation of filmmakers benefits the filmmaking industry and audiences around the world."
The Bravo!FACT Award for Best Canadian Short and a cash prize of $5,000 was captured by director Jean Malek for the visually arresting LES POISSONS (FISHES).
Special Mention goes to Theodore Ushev's LIPSETT DIARIES (LES JOURNAUX DE LIPSETT) a technical masterpiece that transcends genres.
J.B. Sugar received The Jackson-Triggs Award for Best Emerging Canadian Filmmaker and a cash prize of $5,000 for his documentary WOOD IF.
The Deluxe Award for Best Live Action Short was awarded to Hamy Ramezan (Finland) for OVER THE FENCE (VIIKO ENNEN VAPPUA), garnering him $2,500 in cash and eligibility for the 2010 Academy Awards®.
The Deluxe Award for Best Performance in a Live-Action Short was awarded to actors Noni Hazelhurst and Anthony Phelan for their raw, believable and honest interpretation of a couple facing their own mortality in A PARACHUTE FALLING IN SIBERIA (Australia) along with a $2,500 cash prize.
The Kodak Award for Best Cinematography in a Canadian Short was presented to Cinematographer Maya Bankovic for the visually stunning SLIP along with $2,000 in 35mm stock and goods valued at $500.
Best Animated Short honour and a Panasonic digital video camcorder went to Joanna Lurie (France) for THE SILENCE BENEATH THE BARK (LE SILENCE SOUS L'ÉCORCE).
The Best Experimental Short honour along with a Panasonic digital video camcorder went to Chelsea McMullan (Canada) for SLIP.
Best Documentary Short honour and a Panasonic digital video camcorder went to Vance Malone (USA) for THE POODLE TRAINER.
And finally, the Screenplay Giveaway Prize, a package of goods and services worth over $50,000 was awarded to Geoff Redknapp for his script The Last Christmas. The prize includes post-production services at Deluxe Laboratories and studio time at Cinespace Studios, along with film stock from Kodak, two programming passes to WIFT-T, legal advice from Heenan Blaikie Barristers and Solicitors, and story editing services by Marguerite Pigott, creative development group leader, Super Channel.
The TELUS Audience Choice Award, which comes with a $5,000 cash prize, will be announced later this evening at the Festival Award Winners screening at the Cumberland Cinema on Sunday, June 6th at 7 p.m. Chosen out of all 281 films in the festival, the TELUS Audience Choice Award is the only prize in which all films, in both competition and non-competition screenings are eligible to win.
Now in its 16th year, the Canadian Film Centre's Worldwide Short Film Festival is the leading venue for the exhibition and promotion of short film in North America and is one of the premier short film festivals in the world. Taking place from June 1st
to 6th, 2010 the WSFF will present 281 films from 34 countries. Offering one of the largest prize packages for short film in the world, top WSFF winners are eligible for both Academy Award® and Genie Award consideration. The WSFF Short Films, BIG IDEAS Symposium offers renowned professional development, while the WSFF Business Centre is home to the largest short film marketplace in North America. For more information please visit: www.shorterisbetter.com
Photography available for download at: http://www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com/media/image_gallery
The WSFF recognizes the generous support of: TELUS, doug & serge Agency, Deluxe
For schedule information and detailed film descriptions visit – www.shorterisbetter.com
Festival founded by Brenda Sherwood