The ninth annual Tribeca Film Festival, co-founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, and presented by founding sponsor American Express, announced the winners of its world competition categories tonight at a ceremony hosted at the W Union Square in New York City.

The world competition winners for narrative and documentary films were chosen from 12 narrative and 12 documentary features from 20 countries. Two awards were given to honor New York films, which were chosen from seven narrative and six documentary features. Awards were also given for the best narrative, best documentary and student visionary films in the short film competitions. This year’s Festival included 85 features and 47 short films from 38 countries.

Also announced at the awards were the first-ever Tribeca Film Festival Virtual feature and short film winners selected by the online audience, The winner of The Heineken Audience Award, determined by audience votes throughout the Festival, will be announced on May 1 at the Festival Wrap party.

“The award winning films selected by the jury each features strong characters and subjects; these films challenge you to see the world from another perspective,” said Jane Rosenthal. “I wish all the filmmakers continued success and hope that they will bring their work back to Tribeca in the years to come.”

“Our jurors have dedicated themselves to the task of carefully considering the diverse films that were part of this year’s competition at the Festival,” said Nancy Schafer, Executive Director of the Festival. “We are grateful for their hard work and salute their choices along with the rest of our 2010 filmmakers.”

Screenings of all winning films will take place at Village East Cinemas on Sunday, May 2. Specific times and ticketing information are available on the Festival website, www.tribecafilm.com/festival.

In addition to cash awards and in-kind services provided by sponsors including American Express, Delta Air Lines and Eastman Kodak, the Festival presented the winners with original pieces of art created by seven acclaimed artists, including Yoko Ono and Clifford Ross.

Following are the jurors, the winners and their awards:

WORLD COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

The jurors for the 2010 World Narrative Competition were Hope Davis, Aaron Eckhart, John Hamburg, Cheryl Hines, John Ridley, Gary Ross and Gary Winick.

• The Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature – When We Leave (Die Fremde), directed and written by Feo Aladag. (Germany). Winner receives $25,000 cash and the art award “Study: Northern City Renaissance” (Mass MoCA #379K) 2008, commissioned by Sting, created by Stephen Hannock. Sponsored by AKA Hotel Residences. The award was presented by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal.

Jury Comments: “When We Leave examines one woman’s struggle for personal freedom. It’s a theme that is often explored – but rarely told with such humanity, subtlety, craftsmanship or immediacy, as in tonight’s winning entry. When We Leave is a riveting and heartbreaking story of a woman trapped in an abusive relationship, who must not only free herself from that marriage, but also the cultural prejudices and judgments that would keep her there. Feo Aladag built the nuances of her film over a six year period. She rehearsed her actors for seven months. She immersed herself in every detail of a culture that is revealed to us in remarkable detail. The result is a film that balances complex social issues with honest human yearnings. Through the brutality, When We Leave is also a story of tenderness, the struggle for compassion, the inexorable pull of family and the need to love and be loved.”

Special Jury Mention: Loose Cannons, directed by Ferzan Ozpetek and written by Ferzan Ozpetek and Ivan Cotroneo.

Jury Comments: “Loose Cannons buoyantly explores the story of two gay brothers attempting to find happiness in a traditional Italian family that is less than accepting of their lifestyle choices. Expertly combining family drama and farce, Loose Cannons tackles its subject matter with warmth, humor and grace. For making us laugh, cry and immediately want to book a trip to Southern Italy, we congratulate director Ferzan Ozpetek and his talented cast and collaborators on this special mention.”

• Best New Narrative Filmmaker – Kim Chapiron for Dog Pound, written by Kim Chapiron and Jeremie Delon. (France). Winner receives $25,000 cash. Sponsored by American Express. The award was presented by Gary Winick.

Jury Comments: “There was any number of films this year in which the director was able to bring together disparate thoughts, ideas and images. We have chosen to honor a director who created an environment built with such intensity and humanity that his ensemble cast was able to transcend the cold walls and locked doors that confined their characters.”

• Best Actor in a Narrative Feature Film – Eric Elmosnino as Serge Gainsbourg in Gainsbourg, Je t’Aime…Moi Non Plus, directed and written by Joann Sfar. (France). Sponsored by Delta Air Lines. Winner receives two BusinessElite ticket vouchers for anywhere Delta travels. The award was presented by Hope Davis.

Jury Comments: “The ultimate compliment to an actor is that he so becomes his role that he will forever be defined by it. No more is this true than in this case.”

• Best Actress in a Narrative Feature Film – Sibel Kekilli as Umay in When We Leave (Die Fremde), directed and written by Feo Aladag. (Germany). Sponsored by Delta Air Lines. Winner receives two BusinessElite ticket vouchers for anywhere Delta travels. The award was presented by Aaron Eckhart.

Jury Comments: “Among many brilliant performances we found one in particular that captivated from the first frame of the film and held us through a long and difficult journey. By turns this actress was joy and sorrow, and love and hope, a woman both strong enough to stand against generations of Muslim traditions and vulnerable enough to express the pain of a daughter cast aside by all who have loved her.”

The jurors for the 2010 World Documentary Competition were Jessica Alba, Margaret Brown, Abbie Cornish, Marshall Curry, Whoopi Goldberg, Aidan Quinn and Eric Steel.

• Best Documentary Feature – Monica & David, directed by Alexandra Codina. (USA). Sponsored by HBO. Winner receives $25,000 in cash and the art award “Jorge, 2003/2009” by Vik Muniz. The award was presented by Jessica Alba.

Jury Comments: “Monica & David takes an incredibly intimate situation and beautifully translates it in a way that makes you think about your own life. It’s a clear and observant look at a family and the purity of love, fueled by an organic sense of the sadness, joy and everyday humor that fill this epic journey that is life.”

Special Jury Mention: Budrus directed by Julia Bacha (USA, Palestine, Israel).

Jury Comments: “Budrus is a film with a powerful message and a fresh perspective on an issue that is familiar to many. It’s about a local community who stood up to defend what was theirs, and in doing so they changed a country. This story is a journey that stretches beyond borders to provide hope, and it should be seen by everyone.”

• Best New Documentary Filmmaker – Clio Barnard for The Arbor (UK). Winner receives $25,000 cash. Sponsored by American Express. The award was presented by Abbie Cornish.

Jury Comments: “Imagination is a word you don’t often associate with documentary filmmaking, but this director bends the boundaries of the form, beautifully crafting an innovative and detailed film wherein great storytelling is paramount.”


NEW YORK COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

The 2010 Best New York Narrative Competition jurors were Selma Blair, Zach Braff, Zoe Cassavetes, Darko Lungulov and Andrew McCarthy.

• Best New York Narrative – Monogamy, directed by Dana Adam Shapiro, written by Dana Adam Shapiro and Evan M. Weiner. (USA). Winner receives $10,000 cash, $50,000 in post-production services donated by Company 3, and the art award “SeaScape Frame” by Valerie Hegarty. The award was presented by Selma Blair.

Jury Comments: “This wasn't an easy decision. All of the films in this category had strong visions and dealt with themes that covered wide ground – some ground that has already been explored, but some that took us to places we haven’t been before. For the film that was realized in such a way that brought together craft, strong acting and consistency of vision, the Best New York Narrative Feature is Monogamy.”

Special Jury Mention: Melissa Leo for her performance in The Space Between, directed and written by Travis Fine. (USA).

Jury Comments: “We would like to honor one actress with a Special Jury Mention. For her embracing and visceral performance in The Space Between, we want to recognize Melissa Leo.”

The 2010 Best New York Documentary Competition jurors were America Ferrera, Dave Karger, Dan Klores, Scott Neustadter and Kate Snow.

• Best New York Documentary – The Woodmans, directed by C. Scott Willis. (USA, Italy, China). Sponsored by Polaroid. Winner receives $10,000 cash, $50,000 in post-production services donated by Company 3, and art award “New York Studio n.21” by Maurizio Galimberti. The award was presented by America Ferrara.

Jury Comments: “All of the films in this category expose their audiences to new subjects that they might not have known much about. But The Woodmans inspired the most discussion thanks to its haunting and subtle storytelling.”


SHORT FILM COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

The 2010 Best Narrative Short Competition jurors were Justin Bartha, Katherine Dieckmann, Jack Dorsey, Peter Facinelli and Brooke Shields.

• Best Narrative Short – Father Christmas Doesn't Come Here, directed by Bekhi Sibiya, written by Sibongile Nkosana, Bongi Ndaba. (South Africa). Winner receives $5,000 cash, 5,000 feet of 35mm film stock donated by Kodak, and the art award “A Box of Smile, 1967/89” by Yoko Ono. The award was presented by Peter Facinelli.

Jury Comments: “The jury was unanimous in its enthusiasm for the winning film. It is an assured, original, and profoundly moving film, which perfectly executes its aims and is buoyed by a remarkable performance by its lead actor. The director of this film consistently foregoes sentimentality in favor of subtle debunking of myths based on culture. His frames are urgently alive with telling details. This film announces a persuasive and deeply human directorial vision, one rich with authenticity and insight. It is a film of resilience and hope.”

Special Jury Mention: The Crush, directed and written by Michael Creagh. (Ireland).

Jury Comments: “We decided to honor The Crush with a Special Jury Mention. As a jury, we were impressed with the accomplishment of this extremely well-crafted film; it navigates a tricky tone and encompasses humor, yearning and suspense, without ever missing a beat. The results are as hilarious as they are nerve-rattling. The director is in total command of a narrative that veers unexpectedly from sweetness to pitch darkness, and features yet another startlingly naturalistic performance from a child actor, whose deadpan charm is only exceeded by his ability to call a grown man “dickhead” with complete conviction.”

The 2010 Best Documentary and Student Short Competition jurors were Perry Miller Adato, Tim Armstrong, Jared Cohen, Scandar Copti, Larry Gagosian, Alicia Keys and Shirin Neshat.

• Best Documentary Short – White Lines & The Fever: The Death of DJ Junebug, directed and written by Travis Senger. (USA). Winner receives $5,000 cash, 5,000 feet of 35mm film stock donated by Kodak and the art award “Fruits of War” by Spencer Platt. The award was presented by Academy Award® nominated filmmaker Scandar Copti.

Jury Comments: “For our winner we chose a film that we feel effectively showed the evolution of hip-hop through its captivating visuals, riveting interviews and exciting exploration of the music and the culture behind the phenomenon. We were thoroughly engaged from beginning to end on this ride back in time, and commend the filmmaker for his ability to create an informative and entertaining documentary.”

Special Jury Mention: Out of Infamy: Michi Nishiura Weglyn, directed and written by Nancy Kapitanoff, Sharon Yamato. (USA).

Jury Comments: “Out of Infamy: Michi Nishiura Weglyn was not only an elegant portrayal of a unique individual but was also a story told with incredible clarity. This film focused on a life that had tremendous power; a woman whose talent and perseverance led her on a life path which began as a costume designer and evolved into a civil rights activist. Our jury is proud to present Nancy Kapitanoff and Sharon Yamato with a Special Jury Mention for their transcendent film.”

• Student Visionary Award – some boys don't leave, directed by Maggie Kiley, written by Matthew Mullen, Maggie Kiley. (USA). Winner receives MacPro Desktop with Final Cut Pro and a 24-inch monitor provided by Apple and the art award “Inauguration Angel” by Maira Kalman. This award was also presented by Copti.

Jury Comments: “This film took a unique perspective on a relationship ending in a way that made us relate to both characters with its unexpected poignancy and notes of humor. We all felt in some way we could connect to this film, which endeared us to its characters and its situation and exhibited the directing strength of this student filmmaker.”

Special Jury Mention: The Pool Party, directed and written by Sara Zandieh. (Iran, USA).

Jury Comments: “We wish to acknowledge The Pool Party by giving it an official Special Jury Mention. Not only did this film intrigue us with its interesting location and characters, but its underlying commentary about wealth, society and communication within a strong narrative context. Because it provoked a great deal of lively conversation, challenging us to discuss the universal nature of this film and how it stayed true to its vision, we are awarding a Special Jury Mention to The Pool Party.”


TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL VIRTUAL CATEGORIES:

The 2010 Tribeca Film Festival Virtual winners were voted on by the TFF Virtual premium passholders.

• Tribeca Film Festival VIRTUAL Best Feature Film: Spork, directed and written by J. B. Ghuman, Jr. (USA). Winner receives $25,000 cash. Sponsored by American Express. The award was presented by Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises.

• Tribeca Film Festival VIRTUAL Best Short Film: Delilah, Before, directed by Melanie Schiele. Winner receives $5,000 cash. Sponsored by American Express. The award was presented by Julie La’Bassiere, Director of Marketing and Industry for Tribeca Enterprises.


FULL LIST OF ELIGIBLE 2010 TFF FILMS IN EACH CATEGORY OF COMPETITION:

World Narrative Feature Competition:

• Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature: 12 films
• Best New Narrative Filmmaker: 11 filmmakers
• Best Actress in a Narrative Feature: 10 actresses
• Best Actor in a Narrative Feature: 14 actors

World Documentary Feature Competition:

• Best Documentary Feature: 12 films
• Best New Documentary Filmmaker: 9 filmmakers

New York Competition Films:

• Best New York Documentary Competition: 6 films
• Best New York Narrative Competition:7 films

Short Films in Competition:

• Best Narrative Short: 30 films
• Best Documentary Short: 11 films
• Student Visionary Award: 6 films

For more information on all of the films in the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, please visit tribecafilm.com.