TIFF AWARDS 2004

International Jury composed by:

Ron HOLLOWAY
Barbara BIALKOWSKA (Poland/Italy)
Jean-Philippe LAROCHE (Belgium)
Fatmir KOÇI (Albania)

The International Jury wishes to compliment the selection committee for the high quality of the entries. The fiction selection in particular was rich in artistic expression and creative talent. We regret we could not award more citations of excellence.

Best Film of the Festival
 “Family Portrait” (Singapore) by Ellery Ngiam.
For its sincere rendering of how the recent economic crisis in Asia affects different members of a family circle. 

Best Fiction Film
“Talking With Angels” (England) by Yousaf Ali Khan
For its straightforward account of how an ailing underprivileged mother contends with the social welfare system as seen and experienced through the eyes of the oldest son.

Best Documentary
“Ravens” (Serbia & Montenegro) by Zelimir Gvardiol
For its balanced reporting of how a Serb family views the sacrifice of an only son to a senseless war propagated by the Milosevic government. 

Best Animation
Ward 13 (Australia) by Peter Cornwell
For its absurdist narrative twists and geotesque humor in depicting the ups and downs of escaping from a weird hospital ward.

Best Experimental Film
“Bitter Prunes” (Albania) by Dorian Ahmeti
For its creative use of experimental techniques and styles in exploring question of identity. 

Best Albanian Film
Exit (Kosova) by Lendita & Blerta Zeqiraj
For its strong direction, original dialogue, and ensemble acting performances in a tighty narrated and amusingly rendered story of three youths cornered in an apartment during the war in Kosovo.

Best First Film
Extn.21 (England) by Lizzie Oxby
For its brilliant use of animation and experimental techniques in a kafkaesque tale of misunderstandings and miscommunications.

SPECIAL MENTION
Alice and I (Belgium) by Micha Wald
A Dublin Story by Graham Cantwell (Ireland)
Fast Film by Virgil Widrich (Austria)

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Media International Jury composed by:

Blanka Elekes SZENTAGOTAI (Hungary)
Alba MALLTEZI (News 24 - Albania)
Zamir ALLUSHI (Ballkan - Albania)

MEDIA AWARD
Red Sky (Greece) by Panagiotis Fafoutis
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PUBLIC AWARD
Nothing to Lose by Rafa Ruso (Spain)