Hot Docs 2012 Award Winners Announced!

Tonight, at a reception hosted by Jian Ghomeshi (host, Q CBC Radio One) at the Windsor Arms Hotel, ten awards and $71,000 in cash prizes were presented to Canadian and international filmmakers, including awards for Festival films in competition and those recognizing emerging and established filmmakers.

Best Canadian Feature
THE WORLD BEFORE HER (D: Nisha Pahuja; P: Cornelia Principe, Nisha Pahuja, Ed Barreveld)
Sponsored by the Documentary Organization of Canada, the award includes a $10,000 prize courtesy of Hot Docs.
Encore screening added Sunday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Isabel Bader Theatre.

Special Jury Prize – Canadian Feature
PEACE OUT (D: Charles Wilkinson; P: Tina Schliessler)
Sponsored by the Directors Guild of Canada and the DGC-Ontario, the award includes a $5000 prize courtesy of Hot Docs.

Inspirit Foundation Pluralism Prize
Awarded to a film in the Canadian Spectrum program that presents an accessible perspective (or perspectives) of one or more belief systems in such a way as to contribute to the development of mutual understanding, respect and inclusion among young people in society.
THE BOXING GIRLS OF KABUL (D: Ariel J. Nasr; P: Annette Clark)
The award comes with a $10,000 prize courtesy of the Inspirit Foundation.
Encore screening added Sunday, May 6, at 6:15 p.m. at the Cumberland Cinemas.

Best International Feature
CALL ME KUCHU (D: Malika Zouhali-Worrall, Katherine Fairfax Wright; P: Malika Zouhali-Worrall; USA)
Sponsored by A&E, the award includes a $10,000 prize courtesy of Hot Docs.
Encore screening added Sunday, May 6, at 6:00 p.m. at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.

Special Jury Prize – International Feature
THE LAW IN THESE PARTS (D: Ra’anan Alexandrowicz; P: Liran Atzmor, B.Z. Goldberg; Israel)
Sponsored by the Ontario Media Development Corporation, the award includes a $5000 prize courtesy of Hot Docs.

Best Mid-Length Documentary
MY THAI BRIDE (D/P: David Tucker; Australia)
Sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, the award includes a $3000 prize courtesy of Hot Docs.

The Shorts and Mid-Length Jury also gave an honourable mention to NESSA (D: Loghman Khaledi; P: Katayoon Shahabi; Iran).

Best Short Documentary
FIVE FRAGMENTS OF THE EXTINCT EMPATHY (D: Anna Nykyri; P: Joonas Berghäll; Finland)
The award includes a $3000 prize courtesy of Hot Docs.

The Shorts and Mid-Length Jury also gave an honourable mention to FAMILY NIGHTMARE (D/P: Dustin Guy Defa; USA).

HBO Documentary Films Emerging Artist Award (tie)
Bill Ross and Turner Ross for the film TCHOUPITOULAS (P: Bill Ross, Turner Ross; USA)
Benjamin Kahlmeyer for the film MEANWHILE IN MAMELODI (P: Boris Frank; Germany, South Africa)
Sponsored by HBO Documentary Films.

The Hot Docs Board of Directors acknowledged Michel Brault as the recipient of the 2012 Hot Docs Outstanding Achievement Award, which was presented to the influential Canadian filmmaker at an event earlier in the day.

documentary’s Don Haig Award
Mia Donovan (INSIDE LARA ROXX, Hot Docs 2011 Official Selection)
Awarded by the Don Haig Foundation, the prize includes a $20,000 cash prize courtesy of documentary.

Director Charles Officer (MIGHTY JEROME, Hot Docs 2011 Official Selection) received an honourable mention.

Lindalee Tracey Award
Honouring an emerging Canadian filmmaker with a passionate point of view, a strong sense of social justice and a sense of humour, the award was presented to Halifax filmmaker Jasmine Oore.
The award winner will receive a $5000 cash prize from the Lindalee Fund and $5000 in equipment rental donated by SIM Video International.

The Hot Docs People’s Choice Award and audience top ten favourite films of the 2012 Festival, determined by audience ballot, will be announced on Monday, May 7. The public can contribute to a cash prize for the People’s Choice Award on Hot Docs’ crowd funding service Doc Ignite. Also announced on this day is the Filmmaker Award, determined by ballots cast by Hot Docs 2012 filmmakers.