ROSSO COME IL CIELO 

Friday, April 18------The Palm Beach International Film Festival, which ended its week-long marathon of film screenings, film tributes, seminar events and nightly parties, came to a glittering close yesterday with the announcement of its Grand Jury and Audience Awards.

The big winner this year was the inspirational Italian film ROSSO COME IL CIELO (Red Like The Sky) by Cristiano Bartone. The film recounts the incredible true story of early life of blind sound editor Micro Mencacci, the victim of a childhood accident which robbed him of his sight.  The film shows how the imaginative and creative boy not only changes the lives of everyone around him, but contributes to change the country’s misguided treatment of children with disabilities. The film won the award for Best Feature and also Best Director.

The Features Jury awarded a Special Jury Prize to Lachen Zinoun, the world-famous dancer-choreographer for his directorial debut, OUD AL WARD (The Lost Beauty), which screened as part of the Visions of Morroco section and had its US Premiere at the Festival.

After viewing nine worthy competitors, the jury decided not to give the prize for “Best Performance” to an individual, but rather to the entire ensemble cast of the engrossing Irish film KINGS for their touching portrayal of Irish emigrants in England – a performance rich in humanity and emotion.  The cast was led by Colm Meaney, Donal O’Kelly, Brendan Conroy, Donncha Crowley, Barry Barnes, Seán O’Tarpaigh and Peadar O’Treasaigh.

The Award for Best Documentary Feature went to D'UNE SEULE VOIX (With One Voice), directed by de Lauzanne Xavier, which had its World Premiere at the event.  Long-time music vagabond Jean-Yves Labat de Rossi invited musicians from Israel and Palestine to join together on an extraordinary tour that would unite them in France for three weeks. On stage it was a triumph, but tempers flared backstage. But this inescapable proximity forced them to communicate. The stresses from the exhausting tour and political rivalries slowly developed into close ties, sustained and driven by the music.

A Special Jury Prize was awarded to Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit’s SAVING LUNA, about a lost baby orca whale.  Seeking friendship from humans, he is both beloved and feared.  Tragedy makes him a symbol of wild beauty…wonderful to know, hard to save. The film recently won the Best Documentary Film prize at the Bermuda International Film Festival.

The Award for Best Short Film went to Shalini Kantayya’s A DROP OF LIFE, which also made its World Premiere debut at the Festival. Shorts juror Conrad Bachmann commented, “Never before has the saying ‘A drop in the bucket’ become more monumental than the impact of this film.  Crafted with precision, it has all the impact of our future.  Shalini Kantayya takes us on a journey of society’s class system and the world of profit. In 17 minutes this film will change your life.”

The jury for the 13th PBIFF consisted of:  Director Dan Wolman (winner of PBIFF’s 2007 Best Feature, Tied Hands) and Joan Robbins, Sr. VP, Talent Relations, Entertainment Studios, who judged Feature Films; Emmanuel Itier, film producer, and Debbie Frank, COO of the Frank Theatres, who voted on Documentaries; Conrad Bachmann, former governor of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences judged the Short Films. 

The Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film went to THE LITTLE TRAITOR, written and directed by Lynn Roth.  Based on the novel Panther in the Basement by world-renowned author Amos Oz, the movie takes place in Palestine in 1947, a few months before Israel becomes a state. In a tale of reconciliation, a militant Israeli youngster develops a relationships with a crusty British officer, with each learning more about the other and their political views.

The Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary Feature went to OF ALL THINGS, directed by Jody Lambert.  His father Dennis Lambert, one of the most successful songwriters/producers of the '70s & '80s, embarks on a whirlwind 'comeback' tour of The Phillipines, where his obscure, 1972 solo album is still hugely successful.

The Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film went to SLINGERS, directed by Rory Kindersley.   Tommy, Joey and Rascal feel that this could finally be their year to take home the prize in an annual game of cowboys against the local bullies. 

The Festival provided to be a nurturing environment for the filmmakers, who are at the center of the week-long film fest. Randi Emerman, PBIFF Director, commented, “This year, for me, it was refreshing and inspiring to have had the honor to discover so many wonderful filmmakers from the corners of the earth.  The films unveiled a wide swath of experiences…they entertained and dazzled us, they made us laugh and cry, but more importantly, they made us think!”

Sandy Mandelberger, Palm Beach FF Dailies Editor