CIFF 2008 Award Winners

THE CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2008 AWARD WINNERS

Calgary, AB ’Äì The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is pleased to announce the award-winning films of the 2008 festival. This year's picks represent the best and the brightest of cinema from Canada and abroad, and awards were given for excellence in both short and feature-length work.

The following categories were represented, and awards were handed out to six deserving filmmakers who demonstrated outstanding achievement in their art form.

BEST OF ALBERTA SHORTS AWARD

The Real Place by Cam Christiansen

Cam Christiansen took home the Best of Alberta Shorts Award for the second year running with his sophomore effort The Real Place. Cam won this award last year with his debut short film I Have Seen the Future. This second short film was commissioned by the NFB and Cam once again used his trademark animated style to tell the story of playwright John Murrell.

MOVIEOLA BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM AWARD

Next Floor by Denis Villeneuve

Multi-award-winning Canadian director Denis Villeneuve was given the Movieola Best Live Action Short Film Award for his already lauded film Next Floor. The film was awarded the prestigious Canal+ Critic's Week Award at this year's Cannes. Based on an original idea by Phoebe Greenberg, created by Phoebe Greenberg and Carolyn Binet, with screenplay by Jacques Davidts, the film tells the story of a crew of gluttonous banquet guests who participate it what can only be called a ritualistic gastronomic carnage. The film showcases Villeneuve's unique and powerful cinematic voice.

BEST CANADIAN FEATURE

One Week by Michael McGowan

One Week, written and directed by Michael McGowan, was awarded City TV's Best Canadian Feature Award. McGowan can add this prize to his already prestigious collection, which includes: winner of the Writers Guild of Canada's Canadian Screen Writer's Award for Best Screenplay; the Directors' Guild Award for Best Director; five Genie Awards nominations; Grand Prix at the Paris Film Festival; the audience award at the London Film Festival; and the People's Choice Award for the Canadian Film Circuit. As part of the award, McGowan was awarded a $2,500 cash prize.

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE

Let the Right One In by Tomas Alfredson

Let the Right One In has been collecting award-after-award during its short time on the festival circuit, and the CIFF Best International Feature Award adds to a long list which includes: the Jury Prize, Best Director, Fant-Asia Film Festival; Jury Prize, Best Film, Fant-Asia Film Festival; Jury Prize, Best Photography, Fant-Asia Film Festival; Best Narrative Feature, Tribeca Film Festival; Nordic Film Prize, Goteborg Film Festival; Nordic Vision Award, Goteborg Film Festival; and the Critic's Award, NatFilm Festival among others. The film has won over 15 International prizes, and continues to amaze critics and audiences alike. Deftly crafted by Alfredson, and powerfully adapted for the screen by John Ajvide Lindquist from his bestselling book of the same name, the film is unlike any vampire movie ever seen - a chilling and beautiful coming of age story.

HotDOCS BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AWARD

ANVIL! The Story of Anvil by Sacha Gervasi

Adding to her list of prizes, Sacha Gervasi was awarded the HotDOCS Best Documentary Feature Award at this year's CIFF. The film screened at the Sundance Film Festival, and has taken home Audience Awards at both the Los Angeles and Sydney International Film Festivals. It also picked up another Best Documentary Award at the Galway Film Fleadh in July of this year. Follow the band through their mundane daily routines, their disastrous European tour, and regular in-fighting, Anvil! The Story of Anvil is an uplifting, inspirational, and bittersweet look at a band still chasing the elusive dream of fame and renown long past their prime.

AMERICAN EXPRESS PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD

Hope for the Broken Contender, Chris Scheuerman

The American Express People's Choice Award is given to the film of the festival garnering the most audience votes. Once again, this prize has been awarded to a production with a local connection, and is the first award for director Chris Scheuerman. After directing the short film Cornered, upon which Hope for the Broken Contender was based, Scheuerman raised the funds to shoot his first feature by working in Alberta's oil patch for several months to save up the $6500 budget. Shot in Calgary with a cast including former WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (who squared off with Robert De Niro in Raging Bull), Pat Fiacco (the Mayor of Regina, and a world class boxing official) and plenty of local Calgary talent, Scheuerman delivered his first K.O. with a film about the tough choices one must make when pursuing a dream.

About CIFF

Founded in 1998, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization based in Alberta, Canada. Inspired by the pioneering spirit and maverick ideals of the community, CIFF showcases films that break traditional boundaries and forge new cinematic ground. CIFF celebrates an unparalleled breadth and depth of cultural diversity through the meaningful, accessible, and artistic medium of film and engages thousands of artists to showcase the best films from filmmakers in over 100 countries around the world. CIFF is held annually at the end of September, screening over 200 films and hosting several gala events, awards, and special presentations. For more information visit www.calgaryfilm.com.