Atikamekw Suns (Soleils Atikamekw) directed by Chloé Leriche won the top prize, the Borsos Award for Best Canadian Feature at the 2023 Whistler Film Festival (WFF). The film also won Best Director of a Borsos Competition Film along with the EDA Award for Best Female Directed Feature for Chloé Leriche, and Best Performance in a Borsos Competition Film for the Ensemble cast
Atikamekw Suns (Soleils Atikamekw) is set in Manawan in 1977. The police find a car containing five Atikamekws, all deceased. The initial suspects, two white Quebeckers, survived unscathed. The official version: a “drinking binge gone wrong,” an unfortunate accident. Until now, the crime has remained unsolved.
The jury unanimously felt that the cast of this film “stood out as delivering an exceptional performance and the dignity they brought to the characters, especially considering how personal this story is for many of them.” The jury also noted that they were blown away by Chloé Leriche’s compelling direction, particularly how the camera lingered on the actor’s faces. “It delivered a powerful emotional punch that spoke volumes.”
The World Documentary Award was presented to Altona directed by The Affolter Brothers. The jury stated that it’s a “beautifully crafted film full of surprises and offers great access to its subjects and grieving community. What we think is going to be another typical true crime story surprises audiences with its message about forgiveness and restorative justice.”
An honorable mention was given to 500 Days in the Wild directed by Dianne Whelan, for capturing a powerful journey and being a testament to the filmmaker’s dedication and willingness to endure incredible hardships in order to tell a transformative story of hope.
The Best BC Director Award, presented by the Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia, went to Kim Albright for her thoughtful, brave and cinematic direction of With Love and a Major Organ. The jury appreciated “its originality in vision, and ability to pack an emotional punch with both humor and sincerity.”
The jury awarded an Honorable Mention for Best BC Director to Laura Adkin for Re: Uniting.
Best Screenplay in a Borsos Film went to Jonas Chernick & Diana Frances for The Burning Season, which tells the story of a years-long summer affair between two people haunted by a dark secret. Sharing it draws them together, but keeping it tears them apart. WFF favourites Jonas Chernick and Sara Canning star in the World Premiere of the film, directed by Sean Garrity.
Best Cinematography in a Borsos Film went to cinematographer André Turpin for his work in Simple Comme Sylvain (The Nature of Love). The film, directed by Monia Chokri, tells the story of a passionate affair between Sophia, a 40-year-old philosophy professor, and Sylvain, a craftsman renovating her new country house. When Sophia and Sylvain meet, Sophia’s world is turned upside down. Opposites attract, but can they last?
Best Editing in a Borsos Film went to Robert Swartz for The Boy In The Woods. Directed by Rebecca Snow, the film is based on the remarkable true story of Maxwell Smart, a Jewish boy hiding in the forests of Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe during WWII.
The Best Mountain Culture Feature Film Award went to A Whole Life, by Hans Steinbichler. A Whole Life offers a nuanced depiction of a life spent in the mountains, in which a man’s inner world of grief, trauma, love and solitude entwines with the beauty and hostility of his environment. Marked with stunning performances and an evocative, subtle narrative, the film leaves a lasting impression.
An honorable mention was also awarded to Weak Layers, directed by Katie Burrell. The jury stated the film is “an impressive directorial debut and an instant classic that further cements Katie Burrell as action sports’ cult antihero.”
“I wish to thank the jury for their dedication and careful consideration of this year’s amazing submissions,” says Paul Gratton, WFF Director of Programming. “Congratulations to all of our winners, as well as to all the Canadian filmmakers who entrusted us with their wonderful films for this year’s Borsos competition.”
Angela Heck, WFF Executive Director, adds, “Whistler Film Festival continues to be the premiere destination for Canadian independent film, and to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of some of our brightest storytellers.”
2023 Whistler Film Festival Award Winners
Borsos Award for Best Canadian Feature Film – ATIKAMEKW SUNS (SOLEILS ATIKAMEKW) directed by Chloé Leriche
Best Director of a Borsos Competition Film (sponsored by Directors Guild of Canada, BC) – Chloé Lerice for ATIKAMEKW SUNS (SOLEILS ATIKAMEKW).
Best Screenplay of a Borsos Competition Film – Jonas Chernick & Diana Frances for THE BURNING SEASON
Best Performance in a Borsos Competition Film – Ensemble cast of ATIKAMEKW SUNS (SOLEILS ATIKAMEKW)
Best Cinematography in a Borsos Competition Film (Presented by ICG 669) – André Turpin for SIMPLE COMME SYLVAIN (THE NATURE OF LOVE)
Best Editing in a Borsos Competition Film (Presented by IATSE 891) goes to Robert Swartz for THE BOY IN THE WOODS
World Documentary Award – ALTONA directed by The Affolter Brothers with an honourable mention to 500 DAYS IN THE WILD directed by Dianne Whelan
Best Mountain Culture Short Film (sponsored by Whistler Blackcomb) – SLIDES ON THE MOUNTAIN by Seth Gillis with an honourable mention to PEOPLE LIKE US directed by Ryan-Paul Collins
Best Mountain Culture Feature Film (sponsored by Whistler Blackcomb) – A WHOLE LIFE Directed by Hans Steinbichler with an honourable mention to WEAK LAYERS directed by Katie Burrell
Best BC Director Award – Kim Albright for WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN with an honourable mention to Laura Adkin for RE: UNITING
Canadian ShortWork Award – ATLANTIS directed by Zoé Pelchat and Jean-François Sauvé with three honorable mentions: Lulu Wei for SOAP, Ava Safai for ZIP and Jasmin Mozaffari for MOTHERLAND
International ShortWork Award – I PROMISE YOU PARADISE directed by Morad Mostafa with an honourable mention to FISH BOWL directed by Rachel Sweeney
BC Student ShortWork Award – BLACK & BLUE directed by Emma Eng with honourable mentions to GERALD directed by Kasha Rae Malinowski and LIKE THE WIND directed by Hugh Saint-Jacques and Ethan Shandro
EDA Award for Best Female Directed Short- NIGIQTUQ ᓂᒋᖅᑐᖅ (The South Wind), by Lindsay McIntyre. Special mention to HEALER, directed by Mackenzie Leigh
The EDA Award for Best Female Directed Feature goes to ATIKAMEKW SUNS, directed by Chloé Leriche, with a special mention to WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN, directed by Kim Albright, presented by the Alliance of Women Film Journalists
Power Pitch Competition – Oscar Wolfgang won with GINGER
MPPIA Short Film Pitch – Sasha Duncan won with easybake.