[press release from Limelight PR]
The Melbourne Queer Film Festival came to a close on 30 March, after screening more than 150 queer flicks over thirteen days.
Each year the festival awards five popularly voted awards as well as a panel judged short film award and a selectors’ choice prize. With an audience over 25,000 and a prize pool of $16,000AUD the Melbourne Queer Film Festival is pleased to announce the following award winners:
The Audience Choice Award for Foreign Language Feature presented by Volkswagen goes to the Swedish comedy/drama PATRIK 1,5 directed by Ella Lemhagen, while the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature has been awarded to UK contemporary romance I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT by Director Shamin Sarif.
Festival guests Nitzan Gilady receives the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary for his film JERUSALEM IS PROUD TO PRESENT – looking at the conflict surrounding the 2006 World Pride Events in Jerusalem. The planned events stirred turmoil in the politically complex city, with Jewish, Muslim and Christina leaders battling against what they said would defile the holy city.
The Uncertainty Principle takes out the Audience Choice Award for Best Australian Short Film and the City of Melbourne Emerging Filmmaker Award. Director Jacqui Schultz receives a combined cash prizes of $3000 as well as a Premium Economy Return Ticket from Melbourne to Los Angeles thanks to V Australia, Virgin’s new international airline. The 15 minute short film looks at the connection between two strangers facing different fates. When two women meet in a doctor’s waiting room their lives become paradoxically entangled. Knowing how to die, can mean knowing how to live, and uncertainty can be a rewarding experience. "It’s such a touching, humorous and life affirming film. Sensitively delving into the bonds of human relationships and exploring the vulnerability of the human condition. Does love conquer all in the end? You betcha!” said judge Shaun Miller, of Marshall & Dent.
Other awards announced include; the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film which goes to DONKEYGIRL directed by Ties Schenk; and the Selector’s Choice Award for Best Australian Short Queer Film in Celluloid Casserole which has been awarded to Robbie McEwan’s GALACTIC SEX WARS.
AWARD LIST:
Audience Choice Award for Foreign Language Feature presented by Volkswagen ($5000)
PATRIK 1,5. Directed by Dir: Ella Lemhagen)
Audience Choice Award for Best Feature presented by FQ Films ($5000):
I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT (Dir: Shamin Sarif)
Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary – co-presented by MQFF and Life Member David McCarthy ($2000):
JERUSALEM IS PROUD TO PRESENT (Dir: Nitzan Gilady)
Audience Choice Award for Best Australian Short Film – co-presented by MQFF and Karen Russell from Step Right Up ($1000 as well as a Premium Economy Return Ticket from Melbourne to Los Angeles thanks to V Australia, Virgin’s new international airline)
THE UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE (Dir: Jacqui Schulz)
Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film ($500):
DONKEYGIRL (Dir: Ties Schenk)
City of Melbourne Emerging Filmmaker Award for Best Short Australian Queer Film ($2000):
THE UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE (Dir: Jacqui Schulz)
Selector’s Choice Award for Best Australian Short Queer Film in Celluloid Casserole ($500):
GALACTIC SEX WARS (Dir: Robbie McEwan)