ViewFinders: International Film Festival for Youth celebrated the talent of Atlantic Canadian youth on Saturday, April 28th at the Empire Theatres Closing Gala in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as it recognized the many budding filmmakers in the community.

During three special Movie, Animation and Green Screen Challenge screenings during the Festival, where 10 young filmmakers saw their short film submissions on the big screen for the first time, prizes were awarded to the top 3 films as well as the People’s Choice Award in each category.

“This year's Challenges strongly indicate that the youth in Atlantic Canada are leading the charge when it comes to producing film, video and animation of exceptional value,” said Julie Glaser, ViewFinders Director. ” Their work was beautiful, astonishing, heartwarming and frequently hilarious. With these kids at the helm the future of the cultural industry in Canada is in very good hands!”

First, Second and Third place winners are chosen by the Sponsors of each category from a shortlist of ten finalists. The People’s Choice Award is chosen by audience ballot on the night of the screenings.

Winners of the Animation Challenge presented by halifaxfilm:

1st Prize ($500)
It All Adds Up! by Yashar Asheri (age 12), Ifari Fraser (age 10), Colyer Roil (age 12) and Logan MacGillivray (age 9) – Nova Scotia

2nd Prize ($250)
Babysitter Wanted by Halley D. Roache (age 14) – Nova Scotia

3rd Prize ($100)
Couch Blobs by Samuel Fresia (age 12), Logan Smith (age 13) and Connor Leet (age 10) – Nova Scotia

People's Choice Award ($1000)
It All Adds Up! by Yashar Asheri (age 12), Ifari Fraser (age 10), Colyer Roil (age 12) and Logan MacGillivray (age 9) – Nova Scotia

NSCC Bursary Award ($250)
Children Purple by Justin Tomchuk (age 16) – Nova Scotia


Winners of the NBC Universal Canada Movie Challenge:

1st Prize ($500)
Golden State by Stefano Andriani (age 17) – Nova Scotia

2nd Prize ($250)
Horton Park by Gavin Keen (age 18) – Prince Edward Island

3rd Prize ($100)
Break it Down by Daniel Boos (age 18) – Nova Scotia

People’s Choice Award ($1000)
Roboter Gegen Roboter by Julien Wallot-Beale (age 17) and Arthur Doyle (age 18) – Nova Scotia

NSCC Bursary Award ($250)
Canadian Bistro Division by Justin Tomchuk (age 16) – Nova Scotia


Winners of the Green Screen Challenge presented by Nova Scotia Power:

1st Prize ($500)
Seishen by Alex Boos (age 15) – Nova Scotia

2nd Prize ($250)
It All Adds Up! by Yashar Asheri (age 12), Ifari Fraser (age 10), Colyer Roil (age 12) and Logan MacGillivray (age 9) – Nova Scotia

3rd Prize ($100)
It’s Not Easy Being Green: Or Is It? Grade 3-4 Class, Grosvenor Wentworth Elementary School – both Nova Scotia

People’s Choice Award ($1000)
First ever tie: Break it Down by Daniel Boos (age 18), and
It’s Not Easy Being Green: Or Is It? Grade 3-4 Class, Grosvenor Wentworth Elementary School – both Nova Scotia
* These Green Screen Challenge submissions will also be entered into the Nordic Youth Film Festival Global Film Program at NUFF 2007 in Tromsø, Norway.

NSCC Bursary Award ($250)
Progress by Michael Robson (age 17) – Nova Scotia


YOUTH JURY AWARDS
The ViewFinders Youth Jury presented their film awards at the Empire Theatres Closing in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, April 28, 2007.

The Jury, comprised of Mathieu Blouin (age 12), Andrew Coll (age 16), Liam Gareau (age 15), Alex Lapp (age 15) and Arielle Séruntine (age 14) were responsible for selecting the best short, feature, animation, and documentary from films screened during the ViewFinders Festival. Each year a jury of five youth are selected through an application process by the Atlantic Film Festival Association. Selected jurors receive an intensive crash course in film critique and appreciation prior to viewing the over 70 films.

Youth Jury Awards:

Best Animated Film – The Danish Poet, Directed by Torill Kove
Best Short Film – Blood Sisters (Blodsostre), Directed by Louise N D Friedberg
Best Documentary Film – Generation XXL, Directed by Teresa MacInnes
Best Feature Film – God Grew Tired of Us, Directed by Christopher Dillon Quinn and Tommy Walker
Best Feature Film - Honourable Mention – Azur & Asmar, Directed by Michel Ocelot


PITCH FOR PRODUCTION WINNER
Part contest, part workshop, The Pitch for Production event accepts applications from youth teams who hone their pitching skills with industry pro Jan Miller and then present their film ideas to selected industry professionals for the chance to create a film for the big screen! The winning creative team will produce their film – with professional mentorship from halifaxfilm and production assistance from NSCC –
this summer, to be debuted on the big screen at Empire Theatres during the 27th Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this September

Winners of the Pitch For Production:
Sidewalks, Pockets & Piggybanks by Producer: Alexa Murray, Director: Anneke van den Hof and Writer: Emma Strubank
Storyline: A penny: useless change to most, however in this journey we follow one penny through an average day as it travels from dusty sidewalks to sweaty palms, cash registers to broken piggy banks. This lack-luster penny is anything but dull.