Out Standing and John Candy Documentary Win Audience Awards at Cinéfest
Cinéfest Sudbury Celebrates Success with Award Announcements
A Memorable Year for Cinéfest Sudbury
In a remarkable culmination of the 37th Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, organizers shared the award winners for this year’s celebrated event. With an impressive showcase from Sept. 13 to 21, the festival featured a curated selection from over 10,000 film submissions, drawing attention from filmmakers and audiences worldwide.
Top Honors at Cinéfest Sudbury
The esteemed Canadian feature “Ma mère, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan,” directed by Ken Scott, clinched the Outstanding Canadian Feature Film Award. Its recognition stood out among a diverse field of film entries, highlighting the festival’s emphasis on celebrating distinct storytelling.
Award-Winning Films in Various Categories
The festival recognized an array of talents across multiple categories, emphasizing unique voices and exceptional narratives:
- Outstanding International Feature Film Award: “DJ Ahmet,” directed by Georgi M. Unkovski
- French Language Feature Film Award: “Gagne ton ciel,” directed by Mathieu Denis
- Cinema Indigenized Outstanding Talent Award: “Free Leonard Peltier,” directed by David France & Jesse Short Bull
- Outstanding Female-Led Feature Film Award: “Out Standing,” directed by Mélanie Charbonneau
- Inspiring Voices & Perspectives Feature Film Award: “Clear Sky,” directed by Michael Del Monte & Shawn Davis
- Outstanding Short Film Award: “Made for U,” directed by Nathanael Draper
- Outstanding Northern Ontario Short Film Award: “Can You Feel It Now?,” directed by Isak Vaillancourt
- Outstanding Animated Short Film Award: “Dolly Baby – Rhythm & Flesh,” directed by Bouchera Tahraoui
Audience Favorites and Special Recognitions
Audience engagement was notable, with “Out Standing” by Mélanie Charbonneau winning the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature. The documentary “John Candy: I Like Me,” directed by Colin Hanks, was another favorite, taking home the audience award for best documentary. The choice for best short went to “Serenity,” a creation by Frank Tremblay.
CTV Best in Shorts Awards
CTV’s Best in Shorts categories highlighted outstanding short films, with noteworthy accomplishments by filmmakers across Ontario:
- First Place: “Mr. Noah and the Second Flood,” directed by Kelly Saxberg (Thunder Bay)
- Second Place: “Podwójne (Double),” directed by Piotr Skowroński (North Bay)
- Scholarship Category: “Behind the Screen,” directed by Nation North (Garson)
Volunteers Honored for Contributions
Recognizing the vital role of volunteers, Felice Guo received the Agilis Networks Youth Volunteer Award, while Dawn Cranston was honored with the Bill Clement Outstanding Volunteer Award for their significant contributions to the festival’s success.
The Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival 2023 not only showcased incredible cinematic works but also celebrated the passionate community driving the arts, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating next year’s event.
