Tampere Film Festival Grand Prix to Frenchman Jean-Gabriel Periot

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The Grand Prix at Tampere 36th International Short Film Festival has been awarded to Frenchman Jean-Gabriel Periot for his film Eût-elle été criminelle… (Even if she had been a criminal…, 2005). Describing the the winning film in its report, the jury says that “in the realm of victory it’s easy to criticise those who were wrong. This documentary shows that not even heroes are open for those who seek forgiveness…”

In the International Competition, the prize for Best Fiction was awarded to Aria (2005), directed by the Italian Claudio Noce. The Best Animation was awarded to God On Our Side (2005), directed by the Dutch duo Michal Pfeffer and Uri Kranot, while the Best Documentary went to the German Jan Verbeek for On a Wednesday Night In Tokyo (2004). Prix UIP Tampere was awarded to Before Dawn (2005) by Bálint Kenyeres. Diplomas of Merit were awarded to Heavy Metal Drummer (2005), directed by Luke Morris and Toby Macdonald, Hiyab (2005), directed by Xavi Sala, and Asylsøkere (Backyard Stories, 2005), directed by Kaja Wright Polmar..

The International Competition included 80 films from 37 countries, selected from among 2,600 entries. The International Jury consisted of director and teacher Maheen Zia (Pakistan), director of Umeå International Film Festival Thom Palmen (Sweden) and directors Pjotr Sapegin (Norway), Francisco Cesar-Filho (Brazil) and Erja Dammert (Finland).

The Finnish Competition featured 33 films, selected from among 370 entries. Documentaries ruled the day: the Main Prize in the category of films under 30 minutes was awarded to the documentary Hylje (A Seal, 2005), directed by Miia Tervo. The Special Prize was awarded to the animation Elukka (Animal, 2005), directed by Tatu Pohjavirta. Diplomas of Merit were awarded to the documentary Äidille rakkaudella, Jenni (To Mum, Love Jenni, 2005), directed by Jenni Mattsson, and 365 päivää – Reijo Kelan videopäiväkirja 1999 (365 Days – Video Diary by Reijo Kela 1999, 2006), directed by Reijo Kela. In the category of films over 30 minutes, the Main Prize went to the documentary Kone 17 (Paper Promises, 2005), directed by Issu Huovinen, Leo Märkälä, Heta Partanen, Ilona Reiniharju, Eija Romppanen, Mika Suikkanen and Pentti Taipale. The Special Prize was awarded to the documentary Hetket jotka jäivät (Y in Vyborg, 2005), directed by Piia Andell, while a Diploma of Merit was awarded to the documentary Vaalitaisto (The Campaign, 2005), directed by Mikko Peltonen and Pasi Riiali. The Kodak Resource Award went to Jean-Noël Mustonen for the photography in Rare Exports: The Official Safety Instructions (2005). The Finnish Jury consisted of directors Johanna Vuoksenmaa and Kari Juusonen, together with translator, interpreter, journalist, producer and art agent Kirsi Kinnunen.

The Prize of the Youth Jury was awarded to the fiction film Menestyjä (The Opportunist, 2005), directed by Teemu Nikki. The Risto Jarva Prize again went to a documentary, 365 päivää – Reijo Kelan videopäiväkirja 1999 (365 Days – Video Diary by Reijo Kela 1999, 2006), directed by Reijo Kela. The Risto Jarva Jury consisted of Reetta Hautamäki, information coordinator at the Finnish Film Foundation, theatre director Mika Lehtinen, and sound designer, film mixer and director Pekka Karjalainen. Two audience awards were also given at the festival. In the International Competition, the audience favoured the animation Pyesa dlya trekh akteriv (The Play for Three Actors, 2004) by Alexandr Shmigun, while in the Finnish Competition, the audience award went to the documentary Paanajärven Anni (Anni from Paanajärvi, 2006) by Lasse Naukkarinen.

While the total number of visitors to Tampere Film Festival remained on a par with the previous year, the number of accredited guests increased. Out of the nearly 900 guests, more than 200 arrived from abroad. Some of the most popular screenings at the festival were Kenen joukoissa seisot (Revolution, 2006) by Jouko Aaltonen, You’re Gonna Miss Me (2005), the portrait of Roky Erickson directed by Keven McAlester, and the documentary Ginga, The Soul of Brazilian Football (2005). The special screenings dedicated to festival guests Bill Plympton and Pjotr Sapegin were also remarkably well attended.

As per usual, selected highlights from Tampere Film Festival will be shown on 18th March at the Kiasma Theatre in Helsinki. The Tampere 37th International Short Film Festival will be held on 7-11 March 2007.

Prizes
International Competition: Grand Prix 5000 e, Best Animation, Best Fiction and Best Documentary 1500 e each, Prix UIP Tampere 2000 e (also nomination in the European Film Awards).

Finnish Competition: Main Prize in the category of Under 30 minutes 5000 e, Special Prize 1500 e. Main prize in the category of Over 30 minutes 5000 e, Special Prize 1500 e.

All films in both categories of the Finnish Competition are also eligible to compete for the Risto Jarva Prize (10 000 e) and for the Resource Award (3400 e). Furthermore, an Audience Award and several Honourable Mentions will be presented in both the Finnish and the International Competition.

The winner of the Grand Prix of the International Competition and the winner of the Main Prize in the category of Under 30 minutes of the Finnish Competition will also be eligible to compete for an Academy Award.

For further information, please contact

Enquiries:
Jukka Savolainen, Press Officer, +358 400 510 639 or +358 41 709 0788, jukka.savolainen@tamperefilmfestival.fi

Jukka-Pekka Laakso, Festival Director, +358 40 703 8599, festdirector@tamperefilmfestival.fi

Further information and print quality photos: www.tamperefilmfestival.fi