Encounters is pleased to announce the winners of the 6th Jameson Audience Awards 2006. This is a popular vote by the audience of the Festival in Johannesburg and Cape Town and administered by Professor of Statistical Sciences, Tim Dunne. Best South African Film: Men of Gold directed by Vincent MoloiMen of GoldIn this fascinating portrait of Leonard Johnson, the history of Johannesburg is turned on its head. Cluttered with hawkers, and no longer lit with the magic of Christmas lights, Jozi’s st...

Sheffield International Documentary FestivalAnnounces Q&A Line-UpThe 12th Sheffield International Documentary Festival, the UK’s premiere event for documentary film, offers aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals the opportunity to network with some of the most influential figures working in the media today. As well as showcasing over 75 new films, the Festival features a comprehensive schedule of sessions, masterclasses & lectures hosted by a variety of renowned guest speakers.The Fest...

The 31st Annual Seattle International Film FestivalThe 31st Annual Seattle International Film Festival announces award winners and concludes its 25-day run on Sunday June 12 with the North American premiere of award winning director Gus Van Sant’s film Last Days. Van Sant will be in attendance for the screening, which will be followed by the Closing Night Gala. SIFF 2005 was a great year and brought many eminent Seattleites together—from Microsoft’s Bill Gates to Eddie Vedder of Pearl Ja...

URBAN CINEFILE AUDIENCE AWARDS, SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL 2005AUDIENCES PICK STRONG CINEMA A stirring, low budget Australian love drama, Blacktown, and a powerful Danish family drama, Brothers, have won the Urban Cinefile Audience Awards for Best Feature in the Sidebar Program and World Cinema respectively, concluding a strong Sydney Film Festival, in which Mad Hot Ballroom from the US was the undisputed favourite of the docos, winning in both sections, after screening at both the State Theatre and a...

FULL PROGRAM LINE-UPDirector of Programming Rachel Rosen joined Festival Director Rich Raddon in announcing the full program line-up for the 2005 Los Angeles Film Festival (June 16-26), including the Centerpiece Premiere, the Guest Director, the Artist in Residence, and the Closing Night Film. The Festival also announced that Don Cheadle, Lisa Kudrow, and Elijah Wood will serve as Honorary Festival Chairs for the 2005 Los Angeles Film Festival. “We are thrilled to be highlighting two films ...

GUS VAN SANT'S LAST DAYS OPENS PROVINCETOWN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL JUNE 15The Provincetown International Film Festival, scheduled for June 15-19, enters into its seventh year with another stellar line-up of films and highlights. This year's program includes fifty-five new features (28 narratives and 27 documentaries), with 10 countries represented. Opening Selection is the East Coast premiere of director Gus Van Sant's newest release Last Days unveiled at Cannes (slated for theatrical rele...

PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL SETS NEW RECORD OF 65,000 ATTENDANCE AND 90 SELL-OUTS The 2005 Philadelphia Film Festival ended its 14-day celebration of cinema by posting an attendance record of 65,101, beating last year’s record of 61,000. Of the 300 screenings the Festival held from April 7-20, a record 90 sold out, and 20 films drew an audience of over 600.At its Closing Night on April 20, the Festival announced Jury Prizes and Audience Awards. Leading the list of winners were the feature fil...

THE MALIBU FILM FESTIVAL6th EDITIONFestival to Take Place April 14 – April 18The Malibu Film Festival (MFF) will screen over 30 films at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica in the sections of Short Live Action Films, Animated Short Films, Short Subject Documentary Films, Feature Length Documentary Films, Narrative Feature Films, announced today by new Festival Director, Tiffany Peckosh. The Festival will feature 5 World Premieres, 9 West Coast Premieres, 3 Los Angeles Premieres and 4 Academy Awa...

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 29th CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (CIFF)MARCH 10-20, 2005Attendance of 43,000 (almost a 10% increase over last year)Biggest Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday attendance ever.Biggest single attendance ever on Saturday, March 19th – 5,584 breaking the record of 5,281 on the second Saturday in 2001 (the 25th anniversary).28 sold-out screenings105 feature films80 short subjects 50 countries of origin65 visiting filmmakers and other guests from around the worldOver ...

BERMUDA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2005 LINEUP“THE UPSIDE OF ANGER” and “MAD HOT BALLROOM” OPEN and CLOSE MICHAEL WINTERBOTTOM TO BE “FILMAKER IN FOCUS” Showcasing a film line-up as rich and eclectic as the culture of the island itself, the Bermuda International Film Festival will welcome visitors for the 8th annual Fest, March 18-24. . The Bermuda International Film Festival invites influences from around the world with films that will compete for Best Feature from the ...

The Slamdance Film Festival, often called the ‘independent alternative’ fest held in Park City, Utah (January 21-28, 2005), unveiled its line up with a record 23 World and US feature premiers (including works-in-progress) as well as a striking departure for its Opening and Closing Night films.Two documentaries will bookend the festival: opening the festival is Mad Hot Ballroom (Marilyn Agrelo: USA), a gloriously fun chronicle of New York kids training for a ballroom dance contest. The film, ...