http://www.wiftnz.org.nz/news/2011/11/15/kiwi-snark-wins-best-film-in-brussels.aspx

NZ feature film Russian Snark has won the top prize at the 38th International Festival of Independent Film in Brussels. The award is doubly thrilling for writer/director Stephen Sinclair and producer Liz DiFiore (congratulations to WIFT member Liz) because the film was only invited to screen in competition at the festival two weeks ago. The late inclusion was thanks to a glowing recommendation from Bernard Bories, director of the St Tropez Film Festival, whereRussian Snark screened in mid-October.
Two other NZ features - Matariki and Predicament - screened in competition at the Belgium fest, with a third - My Wedding and Other Secrets - screening outside the competition.
Also playing at the festival were five NZ shorts: Blue, Ebony Society, Hauraki, Munted, andPreferably Blue.
Russian Snark, which enjoyed a critically acclaimed NZ cinema release earlier this year, has just been released on DVD.

Our film Russian Snark has just won the Grand Jury Prize at the Brussels Independent Film Festival! I think a certain amount of chest thumping and panty waving is in order; our little micro-budget confection vanquished quite a number of multi-million dollar monoliths to claim this one. We’re the little engine that could.

http://www.onfilm.co.nz/2011/11/10/russian-snark-wins-best-film-in-brussels/

NZ feature film Russian Snark has won the top prize at the 38th International Festival of Independent Film in Brussels.

The award is doubly thrilling for writer/director Stephen Sinclair and producer Liz DiFiore because the film was only invited to screen in competition at the festival two weeks ago. The late inclusion was thanks to a glowing recommendation from Bernard Bories, director of the St Tropez Film Festival, where Russian Snark screened in mid-October.

Two other NZ features – Matariki and Predicament – screened in competition at the Belgium fest, with a third – My Wedding and Other Secrets – screening outside the competition.

Matariki won two awards – Best Director for Michael Bennett and Best Actor for Iaheto Ah Hi.

Also playing at the festival were five NZ shorts: Blue, Ebony Society, Hauraki, Munted, and Preferably Blue.

The prizes for the Kiwi filmmakers were collected on their behalf by UK-based NZ actress Celeste Wong, who appears in My Wedding and Other Secrets and was an official guest of the festival.

Russian Snark, which enjoyed a critically acclaimed NZ cinema release earlier this year, has just been released on DVD.

http://www.universcine.be/fr/articles/38eme-festival-international-du-film-independant-de-bruxelles-le-palmares

Russian Snark – the independently produced and financed feature film written and directed by Stephen Sinclair, and produced by Liz DiFiore of Godzone Pictures Ltd. has picked up the top prize at the Brussels International Film Festival.

The festival was an amazing triumph for New Zealand Films with Matariki also picking up two awards for Best Director for Michael Bennett and Best Actor for Iaheto Ah Hi.

This has been a great opportunity to raise NZ’s profile in the Belgium capital.

Russian Snark’s award follows on from the October screening at the St Tropez Film Festival, and selection for the 2012 Cannes Cinephiles Film Festival in May 2012.

If you missed the NZ theatrical release, it is out on DVD in NZ only and available at www.russiansnark.com

http://www.nzembassy.com/belgium/news/new-zealand-films-to-feature-in-brussels-international-film-festival

http://www.nzembassy.com/belgium/news/new-zealand-films-to-feature-in-brussels-international-film-festival

“The New Zealand Ambassador will officially open the International Film Festival on Tuesday 1 November and this will be followed by a special screening of the New Zealand film Predicament by Jason Sutter (based on Ronald Hugh Morrieson’s novel). The official reception will showcase New Zealand wine and cuisine, with Rebecca Woodmore, the noted New Zealand soprano performing a number of waiata (Maori songs).

Two other New Zealand films will be shown during the Festival. My Wedding and Other Secrets by Roseanne Liang is a comedy which explores the challenges of cross-cultural relationship, with a specific focus on the experience of Chinese-New Zealanders. The third film, Matariki by Michael Bennett, is a fascinating portrayal of a community in the South Pacific and examines the importance of traditional Maori values. The fourth film, Russian Snark by Stephen Sinclair is the story of a Russian film maker Misha who leaves his country on board a small ship to go to New Zealand where he experiences the same difficulties to defend his ideas.”