MediaBridge YouthFest, the dynamic international film festival curated by youth from Mexico, India, Portugal, Russia, and Sri Lanka and teens from Chicago, downstate and western Illinois, has announced its winners.

Held on Saturday, August 9th at The Normal Theatre in Normal, IL, MediaBridge Youthfest featured films from eight countries, all selected by MediaBridge youth participants.

The MediaBridge Youthfest Jury Award-winner for Best Animated Short Film went to Marc Craste's Varmints, an allegory from Great Britain that rocks the boat between civilization, industrialization, and disintegration. With beautiful, thought provoking images, the film asks, "Will salvation be found in man or machine?"

The MediaBridge Youthfest Jury Award-winner for Best Live Action Short Film went to Swedish filmmaker Alain Darborg's George. The film follows a couple waiting an eternity to adopt a new baby boy. But what happens when a mix-up brings them the wrong 'child'? Is it ill-fated fortune or good luck in disguise?

Chosen by audiences 400+ strong at the Normal Theater, the MediaBridge Youthfest Audience Award was given to the gritty, live action short from Belgium, A Day in a Life. Directed by Nicolas Daenens, the film follows a quartet whose lives and fortunes become inescapably intertwined one day in reckless pursuit of money.

"These films are exceptional - we're expecting to see Oscar® nominations in this group," says Nicole Dreiske, Facets Director of Children's Programming. "The artistic merit, production values and complex messages are all striking. The fact that they were selected by youth is encouraging proof that quality international cinema is relevant and meaningful to young people."