The 32nd annual Vancouver International Film Festival concluded its 16-day run on Friday, October 11th. The winners of two juried awards, and six audience awards were announced prior to the screening of VIFF’s closing film, Arie Posin’s The Face of Love, at The Centre. The Dragons & Tigers winner was announced earlier in the Festival.
The Canadian Images jury announced two awards. The jury members were actress Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas, Robson Arms, Moving Day); former BC Film Commissioner and Co-ordinator of the Motion Picture Arts Programme at Capilano University, Dianne Neufeld; and former Executive Producer for programming at Radio Canada, in BC & the Yukon, Michèle Smolkin.
The Award for Best Canadian Feature Film
The award for Best Canadian Feature Film, and its $10,000 cash prize, is shared this year between Jason James’ That Burning Feeling, and Jeff Barnaby’s Rhymes for Young Ghouls. The following is the jury statement on the two winning Canadian films at VIFF 2013 …
Rhymes for Young Ghouls is a very powerful and beautifully produced film, with a stellar cast and excellent photography and design. Depicting the after-effects of the trauma inflicted by residential schools on the First Nations population, it also succeeds in telling a universal and touching story of an oppressed people trying to survive, rebuild and come to terms with their suffering. Using a highly creative vocabulary, from realistic to metaphorical, from fantastic to poetic, Jeff Barnaby demonstrates a promising and already impressive talent as a filmmaker.
That Burning Feeling is one of the best comedies the jury has seen in a long time. With a witty, smart and highly-articulate script, a talented cast and beautiful production, it makes for a wonderful self-deprecating portrait of Vancouver, with its condo maniacs, yoga lovers, community activists and other odd characters. While making us laugh along the way, it tells the human story of trying to find authenticity in a crazy world. Jason James is a rising filmmaker to watch with his wit, keen eye and intelligence.
Most Promising Director of a Canadian Short Film
The $2000 cash prize was awarded to Mathieu Arsenault for Nathan …
The Canadian short film that visually and emotionally walks the line between stories that use abrupt beginnings and endings and stories that change their point-of-view midstream. The rugged handheld camerawork and dynamic editing capture the emotional journey of an irresponsible young man learning to become a father. This unflinching and heartbreaking film is most worthy of the award for most promising director of a short film.
Women in Film + Television Artistic Merit Award
The WIFTV jury — Mary Margaret Frymire, Lisa Ovies and Ana Valine — told those in The Centre’s Closing Gala audience that, “We’re thrilled to award the 18th Annual Artistic Merit Award to Chloé Robichaud for her outstanding film, Sarah Prefers to Run. Robichaud’s clear and compelling direction, coupled with a strong lead performance from Sophie Desmarais, made for an engaging story that ran away with the audience’s hearts.”
Rogers People’s Choice Award
Like Father, Like Son (Japan), directed by Kore-eda Hirozaku won the Rogers People’s Choice Award. All of the festival’s feature films — dramas and nonfiction — were eligible. Festival-goers chose the most popular film by rating every film they saw on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
VIFF Most Popular Canadian Film Award
The audience chose Down River, directed by Ben Ratner, for the VIFF Most Popular Canadian Film Award, presented by Canadian Images programmer, Terry McEvoy. Here’s a review written by Olivia Law, in The Ubyssey.
VIFF Most Popular Canadian Documentary Award
When I Walk, directed by Jason da Silva, won the VIFF Most Popular Canadian Documentary Award, presented by Canadian Images programmer, Terry McEvoy. Here’s The Hollywood Reporter review.
VIFF Most Popular Canadian Environmental Documentary Award
Salmon Confidential, directed by Twyla Roscovich, won the VIFF Most Popular Canadian Environmental Documentary Award, presented by Canadian Images programmer, Terry McEvoy. The Straight review.
VIFF Most Popular Documentary Film Award
The audience chose Desert Runners directed by Jennifer Steinman, for the VIFF Most Popular Documentary Film Award, presented by Festival Director, Alan Franey. Here’s Mark Adams’ review in Screen Daily.
VIFF Most Popular First Feature Award
The audience chose Wadjda, directed by Haifaa Al Mansour, for the VIFF Most Popular International First Feature Award, presented by Festival Director, Alan Franey. Here’s Oliver Lyttlelton’s review on Indiewire.
Dragons & Tigers Award for Young Cinema
Anatomy of a Paperclip (Yamamori Clip Koujou no Atari) by Ikeda Akira of Japan won the 20th annual Dragons & Tigers Award for Young Cinema and a cash prize of $5,000, supported by Brad Birarda. Presented to the director of a creative and innovative film from East Asia that has not yet won significant international recognition, the award was previously announced on October 3rd. Thanks are also due to Dragons & Tigers series sponsor Fairchild Media Group.
BC Spotlight Awards
BC Emerging Filmmaker Award — $7,500 cash prize sponsored by UBCP / AFBS and a $10,000 equipment rental credit from William F. White, was presented to Lawrence & Holloman, directed by Matthew Kowalchuk.
Best BC Film — $10,000 development bursary provided by The Harold Greenberg Fund and a $10,000 post-production services credit from Finalé Editworks, presented to The Dick Knost Show, directed by Bruce Sweeney.
#mustseebc Award — Leap for Your Life, directed by Gary Hawes
At the Closing Gala, the Vancouver International Film Festival extendeds its thanks to Creative BC, CineCoup, The Harold Greenberg Fund, William F. White, UBCP, AFBS, Finalé Editworks, Canon Canada, ET Canada and Vancouver Magazine.
