Wolfville, NS (October 27, 2019) – Filmmakers from Canada to Italy were honoured today with the prestigious Devour! the Food Film Fest Golden Tine awards.
The jury, comprised of Justin Johnson from the British Film Institute, award-winning journalist Rita DeMontis, and Peter Stein, award-winning documentary filmmaker and film festival programmer, collectively praised the following films:
Best Feature Drama was presented to From the Vine directed by Sean Cisterna. The jury noted that this is a funny, touching and poignant film about doing the right thing and finding hope in unexpected places.
Best Feature Documentary went to Ghost Fleet, directed by Shannon Service & Jeffrey Waldron. The jury noted that the courageous filmmakers and subjects of this remarkable exposé shed a devastating spotlight on the tragedy of human trafficking in the multibillion-dollar international fishing industries.
Special jury commendation went to Honeyland, directed by Ljubomir Stefanov & Tamara Kotevska.
Best Short Drama went to Distance: Short Stories About Food, directed by Luigi Capasso. The jury felt that this handsomely photographed film conveys how food can be memory, love, comfort, and emotion across time and borders.
Special jury commendation went to both Stepdaddy, directed by Lisa Steen and Sweater, directed by Nick Borenstein.
Best Short Documentary was presented to Duck Academy, directed by Suriyon Jongleepun. The jury found that it was a whimsical and charming approach to the story of an unlikely, iconoclastic organic rice farmer in Thailand who harnesses the power of poultry to do right by his land.
Special jury commendation went to 73 Cows, directed by Alex Lockwood and That’s My Jazz, directed by Nova Scotia’s Ben Proudfoot.
Best Short Animation went to Hybrids directed by France’s Florian Brauch, Matthieu Pujol, Kim Tailhades, Yohan Thireau and Romain Thirion. The jury noted the film’s powerful take on a fully realized dystopian world and a creative prophetic look at how humankind’s waste has a devastating effect on our ocean.
Special jury commendation went to The Old Man and the Pears directed by Jing Sun from the United States.
“We were deeply impressed by the range and quality of the 80+ films programmed in this year’s festival. Outstanding social justice documentaries, delicious portraits of food artisans and producers, outstanding animation and regional curios from both Nova Scotia and this year’s featured country, Italy—this bounty made our selection process particularly difficult,” said jurors Rita DeMontis, Justin Johnson and Peter L. Stein. “But we are so pleased to be part of the thriving endeavor here at Devour!, along with the dedicated staff, volunteers, sponsors and the whole community that comes together to produce this marvelous festival.”
Devour! staff recognized that this year’s revered jury had a tough decision on their hands.
“Each jury member is an esteemed expert in their respective fields, and spent numerous hours watching more than 80 films,” says Michael Howell, Devour! executive director. “Although we know the competition was fierce, each win is well-deserved.”
The Devour! programming committee spent the months leading up to the festival carefully selecting each film in this year’s programme.
“We’re so pleased with the calibre of our film program this year,” said Lia Rinaldo, Devour! managing director. “From returning filmmakers to Devour! first-timers, Wolfville’s Al Whittle Theatre saw an immense amount of talent this week.”
The Nourish Nova Scotia Food and Film Challenge Award was also presented to Zhariel Marc Carbonell for his film Celebrating Culture Through Food.
The 9th edition of Devour! wraps up tonight with the closing gala screening of The Biggest Little Farm, directed by John Chester and Distance – Short Stories About Food by Luigi Capasso.
Devour! The Food Film Fest will celebrate its 10th edition from October 20 to 25, 2020.
Media contact
Robyn McIsaac
902-440-1551
robyn@prhive.ca
