Chicago International Film Festival
CONTROL, LOVESICKNESS AND SPIRIT OF THE MARATHON
TAKE TOP AWARDS FROM 2007 FESTIVAL AUDIENCE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago - The audiences at the 43rd Chicago International Film Festival (October 4-17, 2007) have spoken! CONTROL, a feature film from Great Britain which also won the Silver Hugo Awards for Best Screenplay and Best Actor, LOVESICKNESS a first feature film from Puerto Rico, and THE SPIRIT OF THE MARATHON, a documentary from the United States take the top three audience choice awards.
With 360 performances, comprised of 160 films from 44 countries, the 43rd Chicago International Film Festival showcased the work of the world's top filmmakers this fall. Mimi Plauché, Feature Film Programmer remarks, "We were very pleased with this year's line up of feature films and the positive audience reaction to them. The program had great depth combining a number of works by established masters, such as Sidney Lumet, Ermanno Olmi, and André Techiné, with more than forty exceptional films by first-time directors. The high level of participation by filmmakers in this year's Festival was particularly remarkable, with directors from nearly twothirds of the films in attendance to meet Festival audiences and engage in lively question and answer sessions."
In addition to its feature films, the 43rd Chicago International Film Festival was proud to screen a number of exceptional documentaries and short films. Phillip Bajorat, Documentary and Short Film Programmer comments, "This year's 33 short films represented 14 countries and the 10 documentaries in competition were from 5 different countries. The diversity of styles was very impressive and I'm very happy with the quality of both sections."
Along with the screening of films, the Festival presented an array of special events, hosting talented film professionals from all over the world. "From our opening night Gala premiere of THE KITE RUNNER to nightly honored guests such as Anthony Hopkins, Ben and Casey Affleck, John Cusack, Laura Linney, Alison Eastwood, John Sayles, Malcolm McDowell, István Szabó, Marc Forster, and Paul Schrader, the Festival kept a high profile of visiting directors plus that original goal of DISCOVERY that the Festival creates." states Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival.
With increased submissions and the presence of a growing number of top filmmakers, the 43rd Chicago International Film Festival continued to mirror the Festival's pattern of growth over the past several years. Ryan Jewell, Managing Director points out that "2007 saw an increase in attendance and year-round membership for Cinema/Chicago and the Festival. A relatively new staff, and a team of interns and volunteers did an incredible job and gave the organization a new energy and determination; we have a lot of new and exciting ideas to move forward with."
Next year's Festival will be held one week later, running October 9-22, 2008.