NEW YORK INT’L CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2008 AWARD WINNERS AT

Presented March 16, 2008 at the DGA Theater
2008 Awards Host: Adam Gopnik
2008 Jury: Susan Sarandon, Gus Van Sant, James Schamus, Matthew Modine, Evan Shapiro, Rob Minkoff, Adam Gopnik, Lynne McVeigh

NYICFF 2008 Winners:

NYICFF Grand Prize: "Knuffle Bunny"
Directed by: Maciek Albrecht/Mo Willems, USA

NYICFF Jury Award: "Paradise"
Directed by: Jesse Rosensweet, Canada

Audience Awards- Ages 3-6: "Knuffle Bunny"
Directed by: Maciek Albrecht/Mo Willems, USA

Audience Awards- Ages 5-10: "Crank Balls"
Directed by: Devin Bell, USA & Zhiharka, Oleg Uzinov, Russia

Audience Awards- Ages 8-14 – "Black & White"
Directed by: Jon Izen, Canada

Audience Awards- Ages 12-18 – "Wolf Daddy"
Directed by: Chang Hyung-Yun, South Korea

Audience Awards- Parents’ Choice – "Knuffle Bunny"
Directed by: Maciek Albrecht/Mo Willems, USA

HSBC Environmental Award – "Boo Roo"
Directed by: Gwon Mi-Jeong, South Korea

New York, NY, March 17, 2008 – The 2008 New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) concluded another sold-out year on Sunday, March 16th with the NYICFF Awards “Best of the Fest” and Closing Night Gala. The winners were determined by the NYICFF Jury and audience voting throughout the festival. The 2008 NYICFF Jury included Academy Award® winning actress Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking), Academy Award® nominated director Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Paranoid Park), Academy Award® nominated filmmaker James Schamus (Brokeback Mountain), actor Matthew Modine (Birdy, “Weeds”), the New Yorker’s Adam Gopnik, Professor of Children’s Media at NYU, Lynne McVeigh, director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King) and Evan Shapiro, EVP and General Manager of The Independent Film Channel (IFC).

Each year NYICFF premieres a highly selective slate of the best animation, live action, documentary and experimental shorts and features from around the world.

NYICFF JURY: Adam Gopnik, Lynne McVeigh, Rob Minkoff, Matthew Modine, Susan Sarandon, James Schamus, Evan Shapiro and Gus Van Sant

WHAT WE WANT: Short and feature films for
audiences age 3-18. NYICFF seeks creative, original,
non-formulaic works that will help to define a new,
more compelling film for kids. We are not shy about
presenting films with mature themes, subject matter,
language or sensibilities--especially for our teen and
pre-teen audiences. If you are in doubt about the
suitability of your film, we urge you to submit the work
and let the NYICFF selection committee make the
determination. Films may appear in or out of
competition.

SUBMISSION FORMAT: DVD or VHS

FESTIVAL PRESENTATION FORMAT: 35MM FILM,
DIGIBETA, BETASP, DVD

Download entry form at:
http://gkids.com/entry2008.html

Grand Prize: “Flatlife”
Directed by: Jonas Geirnaert (Belgium)

Special Jury Award: “Sneakers”
Directed by: Peter Barlach (Sweden)

Audience Award for Ages 3 to 6: “The Fan and the Flower”
Directed by: Bill Plympton (USA)

Audience Award for Ages 5 to 10 (tie):
“Journey to Mars”
Directed by: Juan Pablo Zaramella (Argentina)

“Shaun the Sheep”
Directed by: Christopher Sadler (United Kingdom)

Audience Award for Ages 8 to 14: “Flatlife”
Directed by: Jonas Geirnaert (Belgium)

Audience Award for Ages 12 to 18: “Wat a Wonderful Day”
Directed by: Philip Eddolls (Canada)

Parent's Choice Award: “Shaun the Sheep”
Directed by: Christopher Sadler (United Kingdom)