10/04/2008

As could be expected from the programming, the list of award winners at the Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film is dominated by European productions.

The jury, presided by Umberto Lenzi (Italy) and comprising Joon-Ho Bong (Korea), Thomas Gunzig (Belgium), Brett Leonard (US), Lisa Marie (US) and Catherine Wilkening (France), honoured Chookiat Sakveerakul’s 13 Beloved.

The film – which recounts the tribulations of a young man who gradually renounces his humanity during the 13 trials that form part of a particularly cruel game – is set to become a Thai cult classic.

Divided in opinion, the jury also presented Silver Raven awards to Stuck by Stuart Gordon (US) and REC [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
interview: Julio Fernández
film profile] by Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza (Spain – see Focus).

Widely lauded in Spain, where it received two Goyas, and acclaimed at various festivals, REC also won the Pegasus Audience Award, which can only augur well for its theatrical release on April 30 (Paradiso Films).

Leader of the new generation of French directors who are revelling in the creation of gory films, Xavier Gens picked up the Silver Méliès award for his film Frontier(s), which will go on to compete in the Golden Méliès Competition organised by the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation. The prize will be awarded in October at the Sitges International Film Festival (Spain).

In the International Shorts Competition, Berni’s Doll by French director Yann J. (Broadcasters’ Award and Audience Award) and Australian director Bryn Rhys Chainey’s The Boxed (Sabam Award and BE TV Award) were joint winners.

Belgian director Jonas Govaerts will compete at Sitges for the Golden Méliès for Best Short with Of Cats & Women (produced by Potemkino).

Finally, in the Belgian Short Film Competition, the SACD Prize and the Michel Devillers Award went to Emmanuel Jespers for Deux Sœurs (“Two Sisters”, produced by Mirantz Films, France).

(Translated from French)