The Ecumenical Jury
at the 2011 World Film Festival

David by Joel Fendelman, U.S.A. is awarded the Ecumenical Jury’s Prize. A Commendation to Hasta La Vista by Geoffrey Enthoven from Belgium

Montréal, August 28, 2011: For the 33rd year in a row, an Ecumenical Prize is awarded by the Ecumenical Jury, chaired by Ms. Cindy Mollaret from France, included Mr. Paul Da Silva from Toronto, Ms. Niquette Delage, from Montreal, Mr. Louis Lesage, from Montreal and Ms. Denyse Muller from France.

The Ecumenical Prize recompenses movies which show artistic merit, the exploration of ethical, social and spiritual values that make life human. The word "ecumenical" refers to the fact that this jury is jointly sponsored by both Protestant and Catholic international organizations for cinema: INTERFILM and SIGNIS (www.signis.net).

This year’s Ecumenical Prize goes to David, by film director Joel Fendelman, from the United States. David, a Muslim child living in Brooklyn, NY finds himself in a Jewish School. Through the story, we are transported with finesse and sensitivity to the heart of a social problem: the coexistence between religious and cultural communities.

A Commendation is given to Hasta La Vista, by film director Geoffrey Enthoven from Belgium. Three young friends, each with a different disability, organize a dream trip. Through the daily difficulties and sometimes comical happenings, the director offers a new perspective of the challenges and limitations of their situation and of the openmindedness of their families and immediate circle.

The international organizations are represented in Montréal by Interfilm-Montréal and by Communications et Société (www.officecom.qc.ca), a member association of SIGNIS.