Wolfville, N.S. (October 28, 2018) – Six talented filmmakers from around the globe have been named the winners of the prestigious Golden Tine Awards at the eighth edition of Devour! The Food Film Fest in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. These films were selected by a festival jury from more than 70 contenders over the course of the six-day festival. Festival directors Michael Howell and Lia Rinaldo, along with an outstanding group of industry representatives, announced the winners this morning at the Golden Tine Awards Brunch held at Lightfoot and Wolfville Winery.
“This year’s film program was chalk full of incredibly impactful films”, says Managing Director Lia Rinaldo. “We are thrilled to present this year’s winners with the prestigious Golden Tine Awards. They should not only be proud of their achievements but also the thought-provoking conversation their films have inspired.”
Director Jim Simone received the Golden Tine Award in the Best Short Drama category for Cups and Robbers. The jurors were impressed by the film’s progressive humor which reflected the highs and lows of running a diner.
Best Short Documentary went to A Butcher’s Heart by Marijn Frank. In addition to the wonderful cinematography, the jury loved the discussion of – and reflection on – the slaughtering and eating of animals as revealed through the innocent lens of a young boy’s eyes.
Best Animation went to The Common Chameleon by Tomer Eshed. An adorable and vibrantly animated tale of gluttony that was just down-right funny.
As Needed directed by Francesco Falaschi won Best Feature Drama. This Italian film won over the jury with its beautifully-combined elements of human potential despite the odds, commitment to one’s values, and an honest love of food and culinary traditions.
The jurors were so taken by two submissions they settled on a tie for Best Feature Documentary: Mark Tchelistcheff’s André – The Voice of Wine and Soufra by director Thomas Morgan. They described André as a captivating film about a relatively unknown Russian immigrant winemaker who helped create the world-renowned Californian wine industry from the ground up, enriching the understanding of viticulture and oenology for wine regions globally. Soufra is a spirited emotional journey that sees stateless Palestinian women in Beirut rise above cultural, political and economic obstacles in their search for a better life. Their passion for food, culinary tradition, and their determination become the springboards to achieving financial independence, and security for their loved ones.
Honourable mentions go to two features, Our Blood Is Wine (Emily Railsback) and The BBQ (Stephen Amis). Plus two shorts, How Mr & Mrs. Gock saved the Kumara (Felicity Morgan-Rhind) and Pulled Strings (Vicki Chau).
Devour!’s esteemed panel of jurors included Anita Stewart (Food Laureate, University of Guelph and founder of Food Day Canada), Dan Clapson (The Globe and Mail restaurant critic and Eat North creative director) and Greg Rubidge (Syndicado Film Sales).
The Nourish Nova Scotia Youth Food & Film Challenge winner was also recognized at today’s brunch. Presented by CBC’s Brett Ruskin, Kieran O’Neill from Berwick, Nova Scotia took home the $500.00 prize to support a healthy eating initiative in his school or community for his film, School Food. Kieran was also awarded a $500 GoPro Kit.
The Government of Canada has supported Devour! The Food Film Fest since 2013. At today’s awards brunch, the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Digital Government and Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced a $40,000 non-repayable contribution for the 2018 event. The support, provided through ACOA’s Business Development Program, helped expand the festival bringing additional opportunities for culinary skill and tourism development.
“Devour! expanded to six days from five this year and, for the first time, moved beyond Wolfville into Kentville. With 90 events, more people than ever are experiencing the beauty of Annapolis Valley in the shoulder season while they take in the best of film and food from local and international talent. Visitors from near and far are sampling the region’s restaurants, shops and accommodations and generating economic benefits for the whole province.”
Stay tuned for details on upcoming satellite events across North America and more on the ninth edition of Devour! The Food Film Fest at devourfest.com. Be sure to book off the week of October 22-27, 2019.
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Media Contact:
Jill Chappell
Devour! The Food Film Fest, Marketing Communications
902-717-5981
