Singapore International Film Festival Announced Winners of the SilverScreen Awards
Court, a film by director Chaitanya Tamhane that centers around the justice system in India, won Best Film at the Silver Screen Awards organized by the 25th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) last night. Director Chaitanya Tamhane also took home the Best Director award for his first feature film.
The jury citation for Court read: “This glittering gem dazzles with its simplicity, elegance and breathtaking naturalism. Every facet of this film shines, from the humanity of its screenplay, to the originality of its structure, to the assuredness of its direction. A brilliant achievement.”
Asian Feature Film Category Results
• Best Film: Court
Trophy and Cash Prize of S$10,000;
Panasonic HC-X1000 Camera (US$3,499);
Offline Edit Package (up to 2 weeks) at Houdini Studio, Thailand (US$10,000); and
Online & DCP Package at Mocha Chai Laboratories (S$20,000)
• Best Director: Chaitanya Tamhane
Trophy and Cash Prize of S$5,000
• Best Performance: Sekar Sari (Siti)
Trophy and Cash Prize of S$2,000
• Special Mention: Alive
Trophy and Cash Prize of S$1,500
The jury citation for Alive read: “Passion and conviction are very much alive in actor-director
Park Jung-bum’s ode to human stoicism. Despite a run time of almost three hours, this film
carries us along with its craft and dedication.”
There was also a Youth Jury Award presented for May Dinadala by Giancarlo Abrahan, who won a trophy and cash prize of S$500. The Most Promising Project for the Southeast Film Lab went to Bradley Liew from Malaysia for Awit Ng Puntod. Liew walked away with S$5,000.
SGIFF also presented an Honorary Award to father of modern Korean Cinema Im Kwon-taek, one of South Korea’s most respected and prolific directors. The festival also conferred a tribute to the late Sir Run Run Shaw, who founded Shaw Brothers Studio and TVB.
The Silver Screen Awards saw a total of 11 feature films and 19 short films, including five Singapore short films, vying for the awards.
The glittering affair was also graced by filmmaking heavyweights including German actress Natassja Kinski, Taiwanese actors Chen Bolin, Hong Kong actress Cheng Pei Pei, Marine Vacth, the Face of Chaumet (Official Watch and Jewellery), as well as local award-winning director Anthony Chen, who walked the red carpet before the awards ceremony.
