..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..R.J. Matson
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Michael Wilmington

September 19, 2004

International and Canadian Cinematic Discoveries Take Awards at Toronto International Film Festival®

Toronto – With a final tally of 328 films (including 98 world and 81 North American premieres), from 60 countries, unspooling over 10 days, the 29th Toronto International Film Festival wrapped on Sunday, September 19th with its annual Awards Brunch at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto.

AGF PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Sponsored by one of the Festival’s major supporters, the AGF People’s Choice Award is voted on by Festival audiences – known worldwide for their enthusiasm and love of cinema. The 2004 award goes to Terry George’s HOTEL RWANDA, (United Kingdom/South Africa/Italy) the true story of an ordinary man whose love for his family inspired him to an extraordinary act of courage that saved the lives of more than one thousand helpless Rwandans during the 1994 genocide.

DISCOVERY AWARD

Pete Travis’ OMAGH (Ireland/UK) is the recipient of the Discovery Award. A powerful and intense story about the unsung victims and the grieving families left behind by a catastrophe, OMAGH examines the tragic 1998 IRA bombing of the small Irish market town of Omagh. The press corps, which consists of more than 750 international media, voted on the Discovery Award.

FIPRESCI PRIZE

The FIPRESCI Prize is awarded to New Zealand director Brad McGann’s IN MY FATHER’S DEN (New Zealand/UK) "for its emotional maturity, striking performances, and visual grace." IN MY FATHER'S DEN follows a prize winning war journalist as he returns to his remote New Zealand hometown after a 16-year absence and is forced to confront the secret that has surrounded him for his entire adult life. This prize is annually bestowed upon a feature film directed by an emerging filmmaker, and making its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Festival welcomed an international FIPRESCI jury for the 13th consecutive year. The 2004 jury comprises president Henry Sheehan, (KPCC-FM and KCET-TV, USA), Katherine Tulich (Sunday Magazine and Seven Network Australia, Australia), and Norman Wilner (Metro Toronto, Canada).

CITYTV AWARD FOR BEST CANADIAN FIRST FEATURE FILM

The Citytv Award for Best Canadian First Feature was given to Daniel Roby’s LA PEAU BLANCHE, "for its audacious genre bending as well as its mix of race politics, romance and horror." Established by sponsor Citytv, the award carries a cash prize of $15,000 and is presented to a Canadian filmmaker whose first feature film is considered exemplary. This award acknowledges the fresh new talent emerging within Canadian cinema.

TORONTO – CITY AWARD FOR BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM

The Toronto – City Award for Best Canadian Feature Film was awarded to Michael Dowse’s IT’S ALL GONE PETE TONG, "for its funny, engaging and flawless portrayal of a flawed character as well as for its ability to capture the infectious rhythms of the club scene." Presented annually at the Toronto International Film Festival and generously co-sponsored by The City of Toronto and Citytv, the Toronto – City Award for Best Canadian Feature Film carries a cash prize of $30,000.

A special jury citation is awarded to Velcro Ripper’s SCAREDSACRED, "for its ability to take the audience on a very personal journey that has universal resonance in a time of paranoia and uncertainty, and for finding hope in moments of despair."

CANADIAN FEATURE FILM AWARDS JURY

The Citytv Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film and the Toronto – City Award for Best Canadian Feature Film were selected by the following jury members: director Catherine Martin (MARIAGES); Ellen Baine, Vice-President of Programming at CHUM Television; Kyle Rae, Toronto City Councillor; Luc Déry, head of micro_scope, and director Clement Virgo (LOVE COME DOWN).

BRAVO!FACT SHORT CUTS CANADA AWARD

The Bravo!FACT Short Cuts Canada Award offers a $10,000 cash prize. The award goes to MAN FEEL PAIN, directed by Dylan Akio Smith. Crisply written, darkly hilarious, and sparsely staged, this comedy explores a weighty subject through the banality of the everyday. The jury comprises director Jennifer Baichwal (THE TRUE MEANING OF PICTURES: SHELBY LEE ADAMS’ APPALACHIA); editor, actor, and director Robert Kennedy (HI, I’M STEVE); and Kelly M. DeVine, a buyer for the Independent Film Channel.

Canada First! and Short Cuts Canada is generously sponsored by CHUM Television. The Short Cuts Canada award is generously sponsored by Bravo!FACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) The Awards Brunch is generously sponsored by the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto.