SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival Announces Award Winners, Extends Screenings
June 18, 2007
(Silver Spring, MD) Silverdocs: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival announced its distinguished award winners, culminating the weeklong Festival activities that included screening 100 films representing 42 countries, free outdoor screenings and live performances, and a four-day concurrent International Documentary Conference attended by over 650 filmmakers, film and television executives and media professionals exploring “Filmanthropy” and “The Future of Real 2.0.” Winning filmmakers received over $55,000 in cash, goods and in-kind services. Silverdocs had more demand for shows than ever before and to accommodate the extraordinary response from local audiences, extended screenings through Monday.
This year’s SILVERDOCS Sterling Award for a Feature Film goes to PLEASE VOTE FOR ME directed by Weijun Chen which explores what democracy looks like in the world’s largest Communist country. This charming film follows the intense politicking to become class monitor of a third grade class in Wuhan Province China . The directors will receive $10,000 cash and $10,000 in-kind services from Video Labs and $5,000 in film stock from Kodak.
Liesl Copland of Red Envelope Entertainment noted on behalf of the Sterling Feature Jury that “The film had everything any movie could hope to have. It was emotionally moving, evoked laughter, invited us to think deeper about ourselves and our democracy, which we learned is not a gift, but a responsibility.”
Honorable Mention went to ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS by Eva Mulvad. The film follows Malalai Joya, the first woman elected to Afghanistan ’s parliament, whose democratic spirit has made her a heroine to many Afghans.
The SILVERDOCS Sterling Award for a Short Film was given to LOT 63, GRAVE C, directed by Sam Green, which examines the death of Meredith Hunter, who was killed at the Altamont Free Concert in 1969. Although his death became a symbol for the end of the Summer of Love, he now lies forgotten, buried in an unmarked and unvisited grave. The filmmaker will receive $5,000 cash.
Special mention went to I WANT TO BE A PILOT directed by Diego Quemada-Díez, a visual poem highlighting the desperation felt by AIDS orphans living in the slums of Kenya , and their hopes of leaving.
The SILVERDOCS Music Documentary Award presented by Pump Audio went to NOMADAK TX directed by Raul De la Fuente. The film follows two musicians as they traverse the world with a magical instrument, the Txalaparta.
The SILVERDOCS Cinematic Vision Award for a Feature Film presented by Discovery HD Theater went to KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON directed by AJ Schnack. The film is a surprising portrait of the man behind the icon, Kurt Cobain, narrating this visually stunning film of his childhood, Nirvana’s sudden rise to fame, his controversial relationship with Courtney Love, and his struggles with pain and depression. The filmmaker will receive $2,500 cash.
The SILVERDOCS Cinematic Vision Award for a Short Film presented by Discovery HD Theater went to MY EYES directed by Erland Mo. This film explores the ways in which music is integral in Katja's life, evoking experiences and emotion. Young Catherine is also grappling with enhanced senses in her blind world, and with her mother discovers the joy in sound and touch. The filmmaker will receive $2,500 cash.
The SILVERDOCS WITNESS Award in honor of Joey R. B. Lozano was given to THE DEVIL CAME ON HORSEBACK by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, a searing exposition of the violence and tragedy of the genocide in Darfur as seen through the eyes of a solitary American witness, Brian Steidle, in his role as military observer with the African Union. The award is presented to the strongest feature length documentary that is supported by the strongest distribution strategy. The filmmaker will receive $5,000 cash.
Honorable mention went to THE PRICE OF SUGAR by Bill Haney. When a charismatic Spanish Priest arrives in the Dominican Republic and protests the enslavement of dispossessed Haitians in the sugar plantations, he ignites a firestorm of tension.
The SILVERDOCS/American Film Market Award for a film that shows exceptional market promise went to BIG RIG by Doug Pray, a film that shatters the anonymity of long-haul truck drives in a portrait of working-class America and the diverse individuals whose largely invisible labor drives our economy. Their complex personal histories and perspectives play out against America ’s iconic “ribbon highway.” The filmmaker will be presented passes to the American Film Market (October 31 to November 7, 2007), airfare, five nights hotel and pre-arranged meetings with potential partners ($5,000 value).
The Award Winner for the Animal Content in Entertainment (ACE) Grant went to THE CONCRETE JUNGLE by Rachel Buchanan and Dan Berier. The feature-length documentary explores the complex relationships that exist between humans and wildlife in urban settings. The film examines the past, present and future of our long-standing tug-of-war with the natural world. Stretching from New York to New Delhi , the film presents the successes and failures of city dweller facing this growing global concern. The director received a $10,000 grant.
The SILVERDOCS Audience Award Winner for a Feature was SOUVENIRS directed by Shahar Cohen and Halil Efrat. When Shahar Cohen hears his 82-year-old father bragging about the “souvenirs” he left behind during WWII, the young filmmaker determines to retrace his father’s history in the Jewish brigade, with the hopes of locating his potential half-siblings.
The SILVERDOCS Audience Award Winner for a Short was given to A SON’S SACRIFICE by Yoni Brook. Imran quit being a Manhattan ad man to run the family Halal slaughterhouse in Queens . His faith and patience are tested during Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice.
Patricia Finneran, Festival Director, said, “This year’s Sterling Award winner PLEASE VOTE FOR ME, strikes a perfect balance. The story of three young candidates for third grade class monitor in Wuhan Province , China touches our hearts with humor and humanity, while addressing complex questions about the future of China and the meaning of democracy.”
Sky Sitney, Director of Programming said, “SILVERDOCS’ expanded awards this year reflect the quality and diversity of the documentary form––recognizing cinematic vision, human rights stories, the power of music, and visions of faith––we honor the craft, artistry and impact of documentary storytellers.”
“Our greatest goal in joining with AFI to produce SILVERDOCS was to celebrate and honor the creativity of independent filmmakers and the documentary art form. With these awards, we are honoring those filmmakers from around the world whose vision and storytelling truly excel,” said Carrie Passmore, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Social Responsibility.
The SILVERDOCS award winners were chosen by an eminent Festival jury including:
Sterling Award Feature Jury: Liesl Copland, head of acquisitions of Red Envelope Entertainment, the newly created original content division of Netflix; Matt Dentler, the Producer of the South by Southwest Film Conference & Festival; and Ross Kauffman, the 2005 Academy Award winning director of BORN INTO BROTHELS.
Sterling Award Short Jury: Yance Ford, Series Producer P.O.V. American Documentary; Amir Labaki, filmmaker, founder and director of the It's All True International Documentary Film Festival; and Liz Ogilvie, head of programming for Docurama Films, an independent digital distribution company.
Best Music Documentary Jury: Rosanna Arquette is an actress and filmmaker best known for her early film role in DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN. She directed SEARCHING FOR DEBRA WINGER, and more recently, ALL WE ARE SAYING, in which musicians speak about music, business, art and life; Joe Berlinger, Director of BROTHER’S KEEPER, PARADISE LOST, and METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER, among others; and Brian Liu, a designer and photojournalist who has published in the New York Times and Rolling Stone among others. His Documentary work includes a award-winning feature about the global landmine problem.
SILVERDOCS’ DOCS RX Global Health Documentary Award winner and World Premiere, THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT, won the Oscar this January. 2006 Sterling Award Feature-winner JESUS CAMP was nominated for the Academy Award in 2007, as were SILVERDOCS’ 2005 films STREET FIGHT, MURDERBALL, GOD SLEEPS IN RWANDA and DARWIN’S NIGHTMARE in 2006. The Festival’s 2004 Audience Award-winner, BORN INTO BROTHELS, won filmmaking’s top prize in 2005.
For Festival and Awards photos go to:
Getty Images at: http://editorial.gettyimages.com/Editorial/Entertainment.aspx
or the Festival Press room at: http://silverdocs.com/press-room/press-photos/
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
The 2007 SILVERDOCS sponsors help make the festival possible. This year’s Festival sponsors include: Founding Sponsor: Corporation for Public Broadcasting Primary Media Sponsors: Comcast, Capitol File, Maryland Public Television and The Gazette; Bronze Sponsosr: VER, VIDITalk; Video Design & Production: Spirit Creative; and Major Sponsors: American University Center for Social Media, AVID, Ball Aerospace, In Baseline, Borders, Maryland Film Office, and Pump Audio.
About SILVERDOCS
SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival brings the best new documentaries to Washington, DC, audiences, with six days of programming, showcasing 100 films from over 42 countries, plus special screenings and the 4-day International Documentary Conference. Now in its fifth year, SILVERDOCS is fast becoming the most talked about documentary festival in the United States . The Festival—which will take place June 12 – 17, 2007—serves as a launch pad for independent documentaries, and affords international filmmakers access to US audiences. SILVERDOCS provides business and creative connections between filmmakers, broadcasters, distributors, and funders from both established and emerging media markets at the concurrent International Documentary Conference.
The Festival takes place at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center , a year-round cinema complex presenting first-run art house film, calendared screening series and themed festivals. The 49,000 square-foot art deco complex houses three theaters—one historic, two new state-of-the-art stadium-style theaters—and a café; it is located in downtown Silver Spring , Maryland , just across the street from Discovery World Headquarters. For more information, go to www.SILVERDOCS.com .
About the American Film Institute
AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media. AFI trains the next generation of filmmakers at its world-renowned Conservatory, maintains America 's film heritage through the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and explores new digital technologies in entertainment and education through the AFI Digital Content Lab and K-12 Screen Education Center. As the largest nonprofit exhibitor in the US, AFI ON SCREEN encompasses the annual AFI FEST presented by Audi: AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival—as well as year-round programming at ArcLight Hollywood and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, including SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival. AFI AWARDS, the annual almanac for the 21st century, honors the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year, while AFI's 100 Years . . . series has ignited extraordinary public interest in classic American movies. And, during the past 34 years, AFI’s Life Achievement Award has become the highest honor for a career in film. Additional information about AFI is available at www.AFI.com .
About Discovery
Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Through TV and digital media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Discovery Health, The Science Channel and Discovery HD Theater. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery’s founder and chairman. For more information please visit www.discovery.com .