The 16th Vermont International Film Festival, October 13 -16, 2005, was held in downtown Burlington. It wrapped announcing its awards.

The Vermont International Film Festival celebrates the independent spirit of films by providing a forum for stories dealing with issues of global concern. This year the Festival will feature more than 60 compelling films with distinctive styles, techniques and structures, ranging from social commentaries, travel diaries, and political tracts, to experimental shorts. Films will compete for the best film in three categories - War and Peace, Justice and Human Rights, and the Environment. Selected films include 5 world premieres, 10 USA premieres and 50 Vermont premieres.

The program offers a closer look on Latin America, a spotlight on women as far as Kyrghistan and China, an examination on some health issues such as autism and other mental diseases. A very special showcase of narrative features and documentaries from Germany, Finland, China, France, South Africa, Korea, and Australia present gripping lives of refugees and displaced people. We dedicate this program to the Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Awarded Films 2005
Environmental Category: Monumental
Human Rights and Justice Category: Oscar
War and Peace Category: Sir, No Sir
Ben & Jerry's Environmental Award: Top of the World
Short Film: My Classic Life as an Artist: A Portrait of Larry Bissonnette
Goldstone Award to Emerging VT Filmmaker: The World Outside
Student Film: The Patient of Dr. Rice