THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE (Canada) by Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor FESTROIA is set in the beautiful coastal city of Setubal, surrounded by water and mountains in the Sado region of Portugal. Its idyllic setting makes it a natural environment for a meditation of ecological issues and the Festival expresses its interest in a competition section entitled Man And His Environment.   This theme is expressed in the section in a combination of featur...

The landmark 30th edition of the Durban International Film Festival announced that the winner of the Best Feature Film award is No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti (Taiwan). Directed by Leon Dai, it was lauded by the International Jury as a “film that surprises and charms at the same time.” “It is a real story with the feel of a melodrama. It is new and original but creates the impression that it was already in your heart for a long time.” The Best Feature Film award carries a cash prize of R30 000. C...

Attendance increased significantly at the 30 th edition of the Durban International Film Festival, reports Peter Rorvik, Director of the festival and the Centre for Creative Arts. “Attendance figures were up this year with over 22, 471 at the 280 festival film screenings, representing almost 5,500 more than in 2008, despite there being 26 less screenings this year. Workshop and seminar attendances were also up with 1650 film enthusiasts attending 38 seminars and workshops, indicating a great l...

Houston World Fest will run April 17 - 26, 2009 The Line up of shorts12:17 AM - 10 min. - Director: Xavier de Choudens - France200,000 Phantoms - 10 min. - Director: Jean-Gabriel Périot - France44987373-V - 12 min. - Director: Robert Ors Griera - SpainA Day in the Life of Beijing Hutong - 22:28 min. - Director: Ben Suzuki - JapanA Girl and a Killer - 21:58 min. - Director: Ann Arson - CanadaA Hired Hand - 17:12 min. - Director: Martin Talbot - CanadaAbout Face - 6:11 min. - Director: Chad Maker...