Our jury have selected the following entries for Awards or Honourable Mentions for PTF 2006:
Congratulations not only to all those Award winners and Honourable Mentions, but to all those who submitted their work to our festival. All entries will be viewable in our library during the festival February 6 - 10, 2006.
Documentary 10 - 30 minutes, ON a theme of disability:
Award - "Back to Bombay" (775-PTF-2006)
"...gripping story takes us through two cultures and two worlds - the juxtaposition and contrast was rich and moving..." "...compelling story..." "...great story with cultural relevance..." "...interesting view of deaf people in India and young woman who grew up in the UK..." "...nice flow..." "good balance of music and text..." "...like the host a lot...!" "...very interesting comparison between India and England's education systems and social experiences of people who are deaf..." "...pictorially beautiful..." "...appreciated the focus on capabilities and the discouragement of the use of the word 'normal'..." "...shows a change in the main character/host..." "...interesting approach, good to see a film made by a young person with a disability..." "...motivational and inspiring..."
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Honourable Mention - "The Kids Are All Right" (773-PTF-2006)
"...really good educational piece..." "...offers the 'voice' that has been missing from the debate..." "...really important piece that offers the disability rights perspective clearly and eloquently..." "...what a doc! informative, educational and edgy..." "...well designed, good points made..." "...excellent writing, good research..." "...always love bashing Jerry Lewis...!" "...best explanation of this particular point of view that I've seen in 5 years of Picture this...film festival...!" "...MD poster child to social activist...what a journey!" "...challenges the social construction of Muscular Dystrophy that the Jerry Lewis Telethon has systematically built over the years." "...appreciated the humour, sarcasm and challenges thrown at telethons that use 'pity' and 'less than' mentality as the cornerstones of their appeal for donations..." "you don't usually see telethons put in a bad light, so this doc is interesting." "...loved the human rights approach..." "...excellent approach to a serious subject..." "...a reasonable, rational explanation is made for ending the telethon..." "...good documentary of political action taken against the telethon..." "...very strong message, powerful self-advocacy, very strategic..."
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Documentary over 30 minutes, BY a disabled filmmaker:
Award - "Braindamadj'd...Take II" (748-PTF-2006)
"...excellent filmmaking..." "...takes us on an artistic journey..." "...very inspiring - survival, success, hope..." "...like it a lot..." "...innovative approach..." "...excellent production 'tricks' and devices..." "...edgy, professional and gripping..." "...would be useful as en educational video, more contemporary treatment." "the spirit and character of the filmmaker shines through." "...great visual creative style throughout..." "...dramatic intro...powerful..." "strong writing" "...sound well mixed..." "visual effects helped move the story along..." "...informative, motivating and entertaining..."
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Documentary over 30 minutes, ON a theme of disability:
Award - "Borderline: The People v. Eunice Baker" (707-PTF-2006)
"...it gets you going around the issues..." "...excellent cohesion..." "...did what a documentary film should do - tell a story about a slice of life..." "...traces the history/trajectory of this tragedy..." "...heart-rending..." "...good job of sketching Eunice's background - her family, the emotions..." "...great drawn out final conclusion..." "...demonstrates the powerlessness of the marginalized in dealing with the judicial system..." "no wonder so many disabled people are in jail...!" "...excellent filming..." "...was instantly pulled in by this woman's story...her mom worked so hard to free her daughter..." "...such an interesting story, it's not just about disability, it's about poverty, education, the unity of family..." "...inspiring to see a woman strong and holding her head up with dignity...kept me intrigued and interested..." "...sequence of events and background contextual information is well laid out..." "...use of spokespeople from varying perspectives works well to keep audience connected and interested..." "...approach is very creative and effectively portrays the many contradictions and misperceptions in this case..." "...commentary about Eunice's vulnerability, judgments made in the media and her mom's lifelong efforts to avoid labeling Eunice are very compelling..." "...this is a winner...!" "...powerful doc about a miscarriage of justice..." "...peels back the layers regarding justice for the poor and the disabled..." |
Honourable Mention - "The Heart of Laughter" (772-PTF-2006)
"...informative, motivational, inspirational and educational..." "...great approach to a serious subject..." "...love it...!" "it's all in the title - 'The Heart of Laughter'..." "...loved the comment - 'humour is better than a drug to help you get well'...!" "...nice blend of physiological research, sociological perspective and stand-up comedy...very unique...!" "...enjoyed the personal stories..." "...like this one a lot, innovative program..."
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Drama under 10 minutes, BY a disabled filmmaker:
Honourable Mention - "La joie (The Joy)" (770-PTF-2006)
"...funny..." "...very creative, shows the problems of having a disability..." "...entertaining, scary, exhilarating and brash!" "...what a great dark film..." "...opening scene certainly gets your attention...!" "...very disturbing..." "...weird, dark, bizarre work..." "I found it very disturbing..." "...very clever, very funny..."
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Drama under 10 minutes, ON a theme of disability:
Award - "Handicap" (704-PTF-2006)
"very funny!" "...clever...mood conveyed very wittily.." "...very imaginative, funny..." "...loved it, brash, bold, funny story with a bitter-sweet message..." "good use of humour and disability..." "...very good suspense..." "...seductive, a little dark..." "...best line in movie, 'shut your fingers'...!" "...very entertaining, fun and clever work...!" "...nice takeoff on the role of an interpreter in the life of someone who is deaf...great raunchy humour...!" "...seductive, jazzy music in opening is well-selected..." "...very creative and seductive approach laced with plenty of humour..."
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Honourable Mention - "the kay stories: visiting the zoo" (763-PTF-2006)
"...very cute ideas... charming use of puppets..." "I love the puppets...very sweet...!" "...light, creative and playful..." "...engaging little film..." "...neat how they used real squirrels in a puppet movie...!" "...very entertaining, great use of sarcasm..." "...it was a great little film with strings attached...!" "...such a gentle poke at 'hearing' what people with disabilities have to say and supporting personal choice..." "...portrays a support person who isn't supportive...!" "...nice perky music in the opening..." "...entertaining and humourous..."
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Drama 10 - 30 minutes, BY a disabled filmmaker:
Award - "Lion Mountain" (757-PTF-2006)
"...interesting insight into both violence & tolerance..." "...good use of flashbacks..." "...raised interesting cross-cultural issues, well acted, very moving..." "...love, compassion..." "...excellent storytelling..." "...great production value..." "...great acting, well written dialogue..." "...it's great to hear a child's perspective in a film..."This story of war, devastation and change is compelling, as told through the eyes and voice of a young boy." "...liked the dialogue and remarkable acting..." "...thought provoking portrayal of the tension between 'fitting in' and retaining one's culture and diversity at the same time..." "...living this family's experiences through this film is vivid, educational and heartwarming, it captures the joys, sorrows, and uniqueness of two different worlds/cultures." "I loved the line, 'I didn't want to be strong, I wanted to belong'" "...very important film, told sensitively...a document of our changing history..." "...strong main character who tells the story, this film works very well..." "...this film engages me, I care about the characters and their story..."
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Honourable Mention - "L'homme de compagnie (The Playmate)" (769-PTF-2006)
"...entertaining for sure..." "...loved the characters..." "...unique, and just bit naughty..." "...love it, funny - disabled man makes fun of his lack of dignity..." "...nice to see sexuality exposed in a disability film..." "...good to see non-typical roles given to the characters..." "...holds your attention...!" "...appreciated the sexual tension portrayed throughout..." "...storyline has a unique twist to it and keeps the audience invested..." "appreciated the diversions this film took..." "...this film is important for the festival..." "...should be seen..." "...fun, addressed how important sexuality is for people with physical disabilities in a comical yet sensitive way..." "...funny...very funny!" "I liked how she stuck up for him at the restaurant..."
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Drama 10 - 30 minutes, ON a theme of disability:
Award - "The Listener" (732-PTF-2006)
"...highly entertaining, interesting twist..." "...really liked it as a drama, unspoken story...well filmed" "...worked well..." "...a simple effective idea..." "...interesting portrayal of people crossing each other's paths and unable to communicate with each other...a quiet film, very visual with little dialogue." "...very even, intriguing, beguiling..." "...what a great piece...!" "...I wondered what would happen next, so that makes a story good..."
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Honourable Mention - "21 Frames Per Second" (723-PTF-2006)
"...very pretty..." "...liked the music..." "good art film..." "...an engaging story..."I like the character, a sweet and confident story..." "...sad and somber, represents the isolation and invisibility of many disabled people..." "...quiet work, slow moving, reflective of the main character's life." "story works well with main character's continued isolation even after he's left the institution..." "...poignant picture..." "...minimal dialogue, clear, touching, develops confidence..." "...poignantly captures the loneliness that the main character felt..." "...good work by lead actor, story was easy to follow..."
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Drama over 30 minutes, BY a disabled filmmaker:
Award - "The Forgotten Ones" (747-PTF-2006)
"...it was entertaining..." "...an ambitious project that sounds good..." "...good job with resources on hand..." "...interesting to see the film depict the 'cliques' developed as students are trapped in a school for 3 months..." "...interesting concept, well acted..." "...appreciated the storyline and the strong acting roles..." "this was an interesting film..." "...it got me hooked..." "...neat script, good acting by the kids..."
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Drama over 30 minutes, ON a theme of disability:
Award - "King of Camp" (705-PTF-2006)
"...very good, lovely involvement with camp participants..." "...very entertaining..." "I love the music" "...well written, very smooth..." "...an amusing tale full of colourful characters..." "I liked the historical references about the music, and the interesting character traits!" "this film has such rich characters and such a sense of fun about it!" "...endearing characters..." "the actors are very talented and their gifts are well portrayed..." "...charming work...!" "I love this one, light, engaging, lovely and intelligent depiction of folks with developmental disabilities." "...love the movement between the 'camp' scenes and the musical numbers..." "...structured on the 'the snoop' creative, segments are fun..." "...very refreshing and fun..." "...performances are very enjoyable and inspirational..." "...funny, they seem to be having fun!" "...Seth is very funny...!" "...sweet, happy, light film about a young man's first time at camp..."
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Honourable Mention - "Dancer" (711-PTF-2006)
"high energy...Indian musical..." "Great Bollywood style!" "...it sure did entertain..." "...a fantastic footloose feel, good flick, a wonderful romp into India..." "...enjoyed the high energy, professional dance numbers, particularly the opening number..." "...neat camera work..." "...it's a feel good movie...!" "...excellent Bollywood movie..." "somewhat inspiring..." "...understandable even without words..." "...loved the end performance piece..."
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Animation under 10 minutes, BY a disabled filmmaker
Award - "Slide" (716-PTF-2006)
"...delightful, beautiful animation and artwork..." "...that a child had the courage to go down slide..." "...tiny story of courage...!" "...lovely work, nice simple lines..." "...proper use of music..." "...wonderful..." "...creative use of the medium..." "...it made you focus and was subtle yet evocative..." "the slide presented a challenge that was overcome and could be symbolic of the disability portrayed..." "...beautifully crafted, the simplicity of the animation and the power of the message..." "compelling visual style" "...beautifully done, tells a complex story within a minimalist style..." "...cool use of drawings..."
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Honourable Mention - "The Viper" (721-PTF-2006)
"...I was scared...what a relief...!" "...funny, I liked the teddy..." "nice use of music..." "I love the eyes..." "...very entertaining, big surprise ending..." "excellent animation" "...innocence is nice..." "quite amusing..." "...animation was playful and creative, great use of colour..." "the story has such a great catch at the end!" "Teddy should get an award as best supporting actor!" "...innocent, colourful, cute..." "it was funny" "good script" "...the bear was the best part..."
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Animation 10 - 30 minutes, ON a theme of disability:
Award - "John and Michael" (713-PTF-2006)
"...good script and animation..." "...beautifully animated..." "...great 'true' animation...!' "very sweet story" "could use sub-titles" "...a beautiful story and storytelling..." "what a beautiful film! Exquisite animation style, and a moving story." "...gentle..." "...really hits the mark, beautiful, tender, deeply felt."
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Honouarable Mention - "Harvie Krumpet" (771-PTF-2006)
"...great script" "...entertaining..." "...loved it..." "...love the claymation!" "beautifully told tale - love the simplicity..." "pretty music..." "I love the old-fashioned way of telling the story." "...the humour works wonders..."
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Performance 10 - 30 minutes, ON a theme of disability:
Honourable Mention - "Mercury Stole My Fire" (703-PTF-2006)
"...absolutely excellent..." "...beautiful, creative expression..." "...very expressive, poignant and educational..." "...excellent mix of poetry/prose and dance..." "...cool use of dance to tell a story of disability..." "...simple message through dance..." "...entertained & educated...!" "...excellent performance, great script..." "great camera work" "...used a powerful approach to tell the story..." "I liked it" "...wonderful use of movement & words..." "unique form of storytelling on film..." "...life story told through dance performance is very powerful..." "...script was flawless..." "...dance movements and narrative support each other..." "...dance is remarkably well-tied to narrative..." "Everything is connected: 'I became a part of the land, the land traveled through me'..." "...creative language and movement tell a story of isolation and deprivation due to chemical sensitivities..."
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Educational under 10 mintues, ON a theme of disability:
Award - "I Define Me: Proud to be Disabled" (755-PTF-2006)
"good public service announcement..." "excellent" "...I liked it, powerful!"
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Honourable Mention - "The Social Justice Centre" (766-PTF-2006)
"informative" "nice animation" "educational, good info..." "a neat advertisement"
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Educational 10 - 30 minuters, ON a theme of disability:
Award - "Viviendo de Nuevo con Dano Medular (Return to Life After Spinal Injury)" (730-PTF-2006)
" 'rehabilitate your mind first...' great!" "...great music..." "...good camera work..." "...positive, informative..." "a nice mix of educational and humanity" "well done, an excellent little educational film which fits the audience well" "honest, very informative and well done" |
Honourable Mention - "My Friend Dylan: I Wonder What We'll Learn" (735-PTF-2006)
"a good resource for schools" "this one presents a bit of a dilemma. The kids need to learn about people with autism, but the 'star', Dylan, still seems apart from the group. That of course is one of the things about autism." "...great piece for elementary school kids..." ..."good approach, first person involvement..." "...nice to see child's perspective..."
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Educational over 30 minutes,ON a theme of disability:
Award - "Supported Employment Transition Initiative (Resource Kit)" (759-PTF-2006)
"...professional & basic, good sound..." "...fine for the audience and objective..." "...does a good job of educating, good to see and hear from individuals, and the jobs shown weren't just the bottle depot!" "...professionally made..." "...serves its purpose well..." "a very positive approach to employment..." "...very appropriate and informative for employers, families and persons with disabilities." "...excellent resource for potential employers"
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Best of Festival
Award: "Lion Mountain" (757-PTF-2006)
"...interesting insight into both violence & tolerance..." "...good use of flashbacks..." "...raised interesting cross-cultural issues, well acted, very moving..." "...love, compassion..." "...excellent storytelling..." "...great production value..." "...great acting, well written dialogue..." "...it's great to hear a child's perspective in a film..."This story of war, devastation and change is compelling, as told through the eyes and voice of a young boy." "...liked the dialogue and remarkable acting..." "...thought provoking portrayal of the tension between 'fitting in' and retaining one's culture and diversity at the same time..." "...living this family's experiences through this film is vivid, educational and heartwarming, it captures the joys, sorrows, and uniqueness of two different worlds/cultures." "I loved the line, 'I didn't want to be strong, I wanted to belong'" "...very important film, told sensitively...a document of our changing history..." "...strong main character who tells the story, this film works very well..." "...this film engages me, I care about the characters and their story..."
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Regarding our Best of Festival Award for 2006: This is the first year that our Best of Festival winner is a film made by a disabled filmmaker that does not have a theme of disability - the theme of "Lion Mountain" is universal and timeless - war, isolation, clash of cultures, displacement, friendship and love. You have to come see it!!
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