IT'S A WRAP! The Vancouver International Film Festival is over for another year. 380 films from 75 countries were presented at 600+ screenings over 15 days. A BIG thanks goes out to all of our fantastic volunteers, sponsors, staff and most of all, our enthusiastic audiences & participating filmmakers.

Juried Awards

The Canadian Images jury announced two awards. The jury included popular Vancouver actor Jay Brazeau, Montreal filmmaker Anne Émond and Colombian–American media personality Claudia Mendoza–Carruth.

Best Canadian Feature Film Award

The Award for Best Canadian Feature Film, and its $10,000 cash prize, goes to Jason Buxton of Nova Scotia for Blackbird. The winner was selected from twelve films in competition. The jury selected this film “for its years of research by the director on the juvenile correctional system; how it transforms the life of a creative kid. The supporting characters are extremely well crafted, free of clichés. We look forward to the development of the careers of both newcomer Connor Jessup and first–time feature director Jason Buxton.”

Honourable Mention for Canadian Feature Film

Becoming Redwood, directed by Jesse James Miller of BC, for its “beautiful journey that transports you to the 1970s. Ryan Grantham carries the film with extraordinary gravitas on his 14–year–old shoulders, winning the audience over.”

Most Promising Director of a Canadian Short Film Award

The Canadian Images jury, represented by Jay Brazeau, has awarded a $2,000 cash award from an anonymous donor to Juan Riedinger of BC for Float. The jury selected this film as “a dark and large subject treated with simplicity and truth. The director handled these seasoned actors with finesse.”

Honourable Mention for a Canadian Short Film

Peach Juice, directed by Brian Lye, Callum Paterson and Nathan Gilliss of BC. “Funny, with a great sense of humour. A different kind of take on animation showed much promise. We look forward to seeing more. It was a bittersweet story.”

Dragons & Tigers Award for Young Cinema

The $5,000 Dragons & Tigers Award for Young Cinema, which is generously supported by donor Brad Birarda, went to director Li Luo of China for Emperor Visits The Hell (Tang Huang You Difu). Presented to the director of a creative and innovative film from East Asia that has not yet won significant international recognition, the award was previously announced on October 4th. The distinguished jury was comprised of Joäo Pedro Rodrigues, Shinozaki Makoto and Chuck Stephens.

Audience Awards

Rogers People’s Choice Award

The Hunt, directed by Thomas Vinterberg, has won the Rogers People’s Choice Award. All of the festival’s 236 feature films – dramas and nonfiction – were eligible, and festival–goers chose the most popular film by rating every film they saw on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

VIFF Most Popular Canadian Film Award

The audience chose Becoming Redwood, directed by Jesse James Miller, for the VIFF Most Popular Canadian Film Award.

VIFF Most Popular Canadian Documentary Award

Blood Relative, directed by Nimisha Mukerji, won the VIFF Most Popular Canadian Documentary Award.

VIFF Most Popular International Documentary Film Award

The audience chose Nuala, directed by Patrick Farrelly and Kate O'Callaghan, for the VIFF Most Popular International Documentary Film Award.

VIFF Most Popular Environmental Film Award

lution, directed by Rob Stewart, won the VIFF Most Popular Environmental Film Award.

VIFF Most Popular International First Feature Award

The audience chose I, Anna, directed by Barnaby Southcombe, for the VIFF Most Popular International First Feature Award.

Women in Film and Television Artistic Merit Award

The unanimous decision for the 2012 WIFTV Artistic Merit Award goes to Manon Briand, writer-director of Liverpool.