The 11th annual Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children announced the award winners from this year's event. Three awards were decided upon by children's juries (two designated for feature films, one for shorts) and two audience awards were determined by festival-goers. Three additional awards for the Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase were decided by a jury of film-industry professionals and the Students Choice Award was determined by high-school students attending Sprockets. This year's Sprockets included 68 films from 26 countries.

"It's been a wonderful year for Sprockets," said Allen Braude, Co-Director, Learning. "With a diverse selection of films, guests from all over the world and engaging on-site film-craft activities, Sprockets has been a huge success."

Co-Director, Learning, Elizabeth Muskala, added, "We would like to thank our enthusiastic audiences, and our devoted volunteers and sponsors, both public and corporate, for their ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you all again at next year's festival."

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
Sprockets' two Audience Choice Awards are voted on by all festival-goers who attend the Family Program.

The Sprockets Audience Choice Award - Best Feature Film went to Ole Bornedal's "The Substitute" (Denmark), a thrilling film about a class of Grade 6 students who become convinced that their substitute teacher is an alien. When their "alien" claims are dismissed by their parents, the students must take matters into their own hands to save themselves.

Sprockets' festival-goers selected Devin Bell's "Crank Balls" (USA) for the Audience Choice Award - Best Animated Film. This imaginative animated short concerns the crabby "Crank Balls" who live in a colorless void until infectious happiness changes their world forever.

GOLDEN SPROCKETS AWARDS
The Young People's Jury Awards reflect Sprockets' continued commitment to the belief that critical assessment of children's films should be made by the children themselves. The two feature film juries and one short-film jury presented the following awards:

Best Feature Film
Jury 1 (ages eight to 10): Ari Kristinsson's "No Network" (Iceland) is a thrilling adventure set in the natural and supernatural worlds that brings together two children who must overcome their differences and begin to see each other as family. Honorable mention went to The "Three Robbers" (Germany). Jury 2 (ages 11 and 12): "In Ben Sombogaart's Crusade: A March Through Time" (The Netherlands/United Kingdom/Germany), 15-year-old Dolf secretly uses the time machine his scientist mother is working on and accidentally transports himself back to the 13th Century, where he joins a Crusade of thousands of children. Honorable mentions went to "SOS - Summer of Suspense" (Norway) and "Wild Chicks in Love" (Germany).

Best Short Film
Jury (ages nine to 12): "In Len Simon's Rindin the Puffer" (USA), a blowfish who is teased for being different proves that it doesn't matter what size or shape you are when it comes to friendship. Honorable mentions went to "Crank Balls" (USA) and "My Happy End" (Germany).

STUDENTS CHOICE AWARD
The Students Choice Award, as voted on by high school students attending the School Program, went to Todd Kessler's "Keith" (USA). The consequences of high school's social hierarchies are explored when popular girl Natalie is partnered with social outcast "Keith" in chemistry class and a friendship develops.

JUMP CUTS YOUNG FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE
The Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase offers young Ontario filmmakers in Grades 3 through 12 a chance to have their short film shown on the big screen at Sprockets. There are three Jump Cuts awards decided by a jury of film-industry professionals. This year's jury consisted of Shaun Hatton, Interactive Producer at TELETOON Canada inc.; Joan Prowse, a documentary filmmaker with more than 15 years of industry experience; and Heather Findlay, a television producer and director.

The Frederick Simpson Award for Best Film Grade 3 to 6 went to Greed, by Saskia van Es. The Veronica Herman Award for Best Film Grade 7 to 9 was awarded to "Peace of Mind" by Ryan He. Honorable mention went to "From Tucker's to Luc's," by Tucker McLachlan and Luc Palombo. The Gertrude Löwengren Award for Best Film Grade 10 to 12 was presented to "Take Out the Garbage," by Nathanael Shelton-Richards.

The Frederick Simpson, Veronica Herman and Gertrude Löwengren Awards are generously supported by Garrett Herman.

Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children offers children and youth the opportunity to learn about film and cultural perspectives from around the globe. Through the power of film, Sprockets is helping to transform the way children and youth see the world. The 11th annual Sprockets ran from April 12-18, 2008, and included a Family Program (April 12-13) for ages three and up, on-site activities and a week-long School Program (April 14-18) for students in Grades 1 through 12. For more information visit sprockets.ca

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS

The Sprockets’ Audience Choice Award – Feature Film: "WILD CHICKS"
Directed By: Vivian Naefe (Germany)

Audience Choice Award – Best Animated Film: "AZUR ET ASMAR"
Directed by: Michel Ocelot’s (France)

GOLDEN SPROCKETS AWARDS

Best Feature Film
Jury 1 (ages eight and nine): “KHAN KLUAY”
Directed by: Kompin Komgumnird

Honourable Mention: "LITTLE HEROES"
Directed by: Itai Lev (Israel).

Jury 2 (ages 10 and 11): “KIDZ IN DA HOOD”
Directed by: Catti Edfeldt and Ylva Gustavsson (Sweden)

Jury 3 (age 12): "WILD CHICKS"
Directed by: Vivian Naefe (Germany).

Honorable Mention: “CARAVAN”
Directed by: Gerardo Olivares

Best Short Film
Jury (ages 8 to 12): "SHIPWRECKED"
Directed by: Devon Bolton (Canada)

Students Choice Award
The Students Choice Award, as voted on by students attending the School Programme, is a three-way tie.

"BULLETS IN THE HOOD: A BED-STUY STORY"
Directed by: Terrence Fisher and Daniel Howard (USA

"GENERATION XXL"
Directed by: Teresa MacInnes (Canada)

"JEW-BOY"
Directed by: Jared Raab (Canada

The fun begins Friday April 13, 2007 with an exclusive party for the whole family followed by the North American premiere of our Gala Opening Night film, The Reef, a charming animated underwater adventure.

The Opening Night Party takes place:

Friday, April 13, 2007 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Winter Garden Theatre
189 Yonge Street

Opening Night Film screening follows at 7:00 PM.