Kinshasa Symphony, VIFF Most Popular Nonfiction Film Award

The 29th annual Vancouver International Film Festival concluded its 16-day run with the closing gala screening the French film THE ILLUSIONIST (L’illusioniste), directed by Sylvain Chomet. The winners of two juried awards and five audience awards were announced prior to the screening; two other juried awards were announced previously.

The jury for the Canadian Images program awarded the ET Canada Award for Best Canadian Feature Film to director Denis Villeneuve of Quebec for INCENDIES. The winner was selected from eleven films in competition.

The Canadian Images jury awarded its prize to director Halima Ouardiri of Quebec for her short film MOKHTAR. The competition was open to first-time filmmakers.

Rogers People’s Choice Award was given to Waste Land directed by director Lucy Walker (US/Brazil). This UK/Brazilian co-production follows renowned artist Vik Muniz into his three-year artistic collaboration with resident recyclers of the world’s largest landfill outside of Rio.

The German film, Kinshasa Symphony, from director Claus Wischmann, was awarded VIFF Most Popular Nonfiction Film Award. Kinshasa Symphony set in the Democratic Republic of Congo shows how people living in one of the most chaotic cities in the world find joy by playing classical music.

VIFF Most Popular Canadian Film Award was awarded to Two Indians Talking.  Two Indians Talking  is director Sara McIntyre’s original take on the relationship of two first nations cousins. Watch for exploding stereotypes and some great performances by Nathaniel Arcand and Justin Rain.

National Film Board of Canada’s Most Popular Canadian Documentary Award was awarded to Leave Them Laughing.  Leave Them Laughing is director John Zaritsky’s gripping documentary about Carla Zilbersmith’s struggle with the incurable disease, ALS.

VIFF Environmental Film Audience Award was awarded to Force Of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie from director Sturla Gunnarsson. Ecologist and scientist David Suzuki serves as veteran filmmaker Sturla Gunnarsson’s subject in this thorough, deep-reaching account of the Canadian icon’s life.

Previously Announced Awards include The Dragons & Tigers Award for Young Cinema went to Hirohara SATORU of Japan for Good Morning to the World!. Women in Film & Television Vancouver presented its Artistic Merit Award to April Telek, lead actress in Amazon Falls, directed by Katrin Bowen. WIFTV award committee member Mary Frymire presented the award, which is given annually to a B.C. woman filmmaker or performer of distinction whose work appeared at VIFF this year.

 

Share ...

Subscribe for Blog Updates

Sign up for our latest updates.

Please follow us to get updates online.