EBS Int'l Documentary Festival 2005

Announces Festival Winners

September 3, 2005- The winners of the EIDF 2005 Grand Prix, Spirit Award, Special Jury Award, and Audience Award were announced tonight at the closing award ceremony. The award winning films were selected by distinguished jurors, such as filmmaker Leonard Retel Helmrich, IDFA director Ally Derks, UC Berekely Prof. Trinh Minh-ha, and two Korean jurors Prof. Chong H. Cho and Prof. So-Young Kim.

In addition, the Audience Award was selected by the fesitvalgoers and audience who casted their votes online. EIDF 2005 is an important platform for international documentaries and screens films that emody risk-taking, diversity, and asthetic innovation.

Compared to last year's program, EIDF 2005 included "Focusing on Five Asian Countries," encouraging filmmaking and networking in Asian countries where documentaries are less developed and watched. "The introduction of Focusing on Five Asian Countries this year not only significantly enhanced the richness and diversity of the program, but it brought to the Festival filmmakers from Asia in one space, thereby nuturing a truly international cultural exchange among artists that is at the heart of EIDF" said Paul Kim, Director of EIDF 2005.

The Grand Prix was given to Bunso-The Youngest, directed by Ditsi Carolino. The Spirit Award was presented to Little Birds, directed by Takeharu Watai. The Special Jury Award was given to Concrete Revolution, directed by Xiaolu Guo. The Audience Award was presented to School Among Glaciers, directed by Dorji Wangchuk. In addition, an Honorable Mention was given to Little Peace of Mine, directed by Eyal Avneri.

The consensus among EIDF 2005 crowds was that the main competition produced a solid and remarkable crop of films.