Awards 2009
Festival has most successful year to date
with admissions in excess of 22,000
THE GOLDEN PUFFIN
Discovery Award
Canadian director Xavier Dolan´s startling debut film I KILLED MY MOTHER (J´ai Tué Ma Mère) which chronicles the stormy relationship between a teenage boy and his mother. This film also won the Prix Regards Jeunes at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.
Jury Statement
“We chose this film not only because we were impressed by the main characters who are so expressive, never full of self-pity and who remain truthful all at the same time. The director is able to see his story in the wider context of human existence.
We like not only the story but the way the story is told: in a distant, reflected, witty way. The film shows a deep insight into the complexity of the relationship between mother and son. The ending shows a precise and warm reflection and knowledge about this turbulent love hate relationship.
Last but not least, we want to point out the fact that this young filmmaker makes us curious to follow his next films and see how he will continue to develop his film language and storytelling.”
FIPRESCI AWARD
Awarded by International Federation of Film Critics
Swedish director Fredrik Ekdfelt´s
first feature THE GIRL (Flickan) which tells the story of
a 10-year old girl who, left alone, creates her own reality.
Films from the New Visions
program are eligible.
THE CHURCH OF ICELAND AWARD
Norwegian director Matias Armand Jordal´s TOGETHER (Sammen) which tells the story a shattered family´s fight to re-establish their bonds.
The Church of Iceland film
award is presented for the fourth time this year to an outstanding film
that deals with important existential questions.
Jury Statement
Father and son react differently to a tragic loss. Together invites the viewer on a journey through barren landscapes of sorrow. It illustrates healthy and unhealthy reactions to a tragedy and shows convincingly how the daily tasks of life can overwhelm the bereaved.
Together is a story about guilt and despair. It tells us that love can keep us alive when everything else has fallen apart. Three embraces mark the way from sorrow to acceptance, from despair to hope. Together is a realistic and hopeful film that reminds us that the smallest touch can do wonders.
RIFF AUDIENCE AWARD
Most Popular Film Award
Sponsored by Icelandic Express
Icelandic director Janus Bragi
Jakobsson´s short film THE GENTLEMEN (Herramenn) which is a
tale of male bonding, aided by copious amounts of alcohol.
THE ICELANDIC RED CROSS AWARD
Human Rights Award
French directors JeanMarc Sainclair
and Jean Crousillac´s UMOJA: WHERE MEN ARE FORBIDDEN
which tells the story of a Kenyan village women´s fight for their
rights without any men.
RIFF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
UK/ TOGO director Brice Lainé´s THE DANCING FOREST which tells the story of Baga, an African village´s remarkable journey to self reliance through harmony with nature.
Through its fine and original
treatment of important issues that affect the economics and ecological
realities of Africa, Brice Lainé skillfully portrays the realities
and aspirations of people in a small African community who refuse to
wait for outside aid, choosing to use both their traditions and modern
agricultural knowledge in an attempt to fight the poverty and isolation
surrounding them. The film is a strong and honest statement of people
working to better their lives based on their ingrained In
recognition of its fine and original treatment of important issues that
affect the economics and ecological realities of Africa, The RIFF awards
its first ecological award to Brice Laine for his film THE DANCING FOREST.
The director has skillfully portrayed in his film the realities and
aspirations of peoplein a small African community who refuse to wait
for outside aid choosing to dynamically combine tradition and modern
agricultural knowledge, in their serious attempt to fight poverty and
isolation. The film becomes a strong and honest statement of people
working to better their lives in harmony with traditions and through
environmental concern for nature, based on love for Man and the Land, respect for people and the land.
