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THAT’S A WRAP! CIFF ANNOUNCES FINAL AWARD WINNERS & BANNER RESULTS FOR 12TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL
CIFF 2011 has come to a close and while there’s still some tabulating to be done, the final award winners were announced today, along with initial Festival results. By all accounts, this year’s lineup of screenings, events and programs had Calgarians the most engaged they’ve ever been.
“We’re still going through the process of reviewing our results but it’s safe to say we’ve achieved just over a 10% increase in attendance and are tracking to have had one of our best years yet for ticket sales," said Jacqueline Dupuis, executive director of CIFF. "We’re grateful to both our loyal, and new fans who came out in full force to enjoy a fantastic program of films as well as for our stakeholders and sponsors who joined us to throw a world-class international film festival right here in our city. This year’s strong results will contribute to CIFF's long-term sustainability and its ability to meaningfully contribute to the cultural landscape of our diverse and dynamic community."
To wrap up its 2011 announcements, CIFF revealed the winner of its People Choice Award, as well as the winners of its Shorts Program.
STARBUCK, Canada – 2011 People’s Choice Award
Sperm has a long history of appearing in comedies for the most juvenile reasons, but only rarely for creating new juveniles. David (Patrick Huard) is 42 and going nowhere, whiling away his time at his father’s butcher shop while casually dating a police officer named Valérie (Julie Le Breton). But when Valérie unexpectedly reveals she’s pregnant, David is left reeling just in time to learn he’s also about to be publicly identified by a class-action lawsuit filed by many of the 533 children he’s fathered through anonymous sperm bank contributions. The Alberta Premiere of this film had Calgary audiences laughing out loud from beginning to end!
LONG BRANCH, Canada - Best Live Action Short
Director Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart
A night of uncomplicated passion proves more difficult than expected when the Toronto Transit Commission gets involved.
THE EXTERNAL WORLD, Germany - Best Animated Short
Director David O’Reilly
A boy learns to play piano in this dark, hilarious, profoundly offensive and multiple-award-winning short.
Last week CIFF announced director David Dusa had been awarded its coveted Maverick title for his feature film, FLEURS DU MAL; NOT FAR FROM THE ABATTOIR as winner of its Alberta Spirit Award and for its annual YYC youth competition, elementary school level winner 1917 and ROCK PAPER SCISSORS as the high school winner.
About the Calgary International Film Festival
Founded in 1998, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization based in Alberta, Canada. CIFF entertains and enlightens audiences through the experience of film, showcasing the best-of-the-best in International cinema in a world-class forum. Building a legacy for the filmic art form for Calgarians and cinema-goers around the globe is a primary focus of the Festival. CIFF is held annually at the end of September, screening hundreds of films and hosting several gala events, awards and special presentations. The 12th Calgary International Film Festival runs September 23 – October 2, 2011. For more information visit www.calgaryfilm.com.
Released on October 5, 2011
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