57th International Film Festival
Mannheim-Heidelberg
(November 6-16, 2008)

www.iffmh.de

Awards of the Ecumenical Jury

The Ecumenical Jury at the 57th International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg awards the Ecumenical Film Prize, carrying a prize money of 1500.- € granted by the EKD and the Catholic Film Work in Germany, to the Canadian film

Borderline,
directed by Lyne Charlebois

“for the multilayered and up-to-date portrayal of sexuality. On the background of disturbing experiences in Kiki’s, her protagonist’s, childhood the director focusses on issues where other films get vague: on the questionable practice concerning one’s own body deprived from sensitivity. Brillant acting and convincing storytelling add to the film’s credibility and enables viewers to feel close to the characters.” (Statement of the Jury)

In addition, the jury awards a Commendation to the Argentinian film

Lluvia (Rain)
by Paula Hernández

“for the loving and detailed portrayal of an encounter. At a turning point in their lives, when they stop for a moment, a woman’s and a man’s paths cross. In a restricted framework of time and space the director succeeds in developing an interplay of approaches and removals leaving both characters stronger than before.”

The Ecumenical Jury is appointed by INTERFILM, the International Interchurch Film Organisation, and SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication. The members have been Arne Kristopherson (Pastor, Denmark), Paulette Queyroy (Professor for Modern Literature, France), Isolde Specka (Psychotherapist, Germany) for INTERFILM and Lothar Strüber (Theologian concentrated on media and Member of the Catholic Film Commission, Germany) and Julia Laggner (Music Therapist and Video Artist, Austria) for SIGNIS.

Borderline also received the FIPRESCI Award (Prize of the International Film Critics Association) and a Commendation by the International Jury for the outstanding performance of Isabelle Blaise. Lluva was also awarded with the Main Prize of the festival by the International Jury.

More information
- about INTERFILM: http://www.inter-film.org/
- about SIGNIS: http://www.signis.net/
- about the festival: http://www.iffmh.de/