2009 FIPRESCI Prize includes Discovery and Special Presentations

19/9/2009 | Toronto - For the 18th consecutive year, the Toronto International Film Festival welcomed the FIPRESCI jury. FIPRESCI is the Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique (International Federation of Film Critics).

The Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery is awarded to Laxmikant Shetgoankar for The Man Beyond the Bridge (India). Far from the sensory overload of India's big cities, Shetgoankar explores smaller but enduring dilemmas, drawing together keen environmental sensitivity with a nuanced view of village dynamics.

The Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Special Presentation is awarded to Bruno Dumont for Hadewijch (France). This film is a hypnotic study of the possibilities and consequences that arise from an absolute belief in God, and the fascinating dynamic that emerges.

The FIPRESCI Jury at the 34th Toronto International Film Festival:

Diego Lerer, Clarin - Argentina - Jury President
Jan Schulz-Ojala, Der Tagesspiegel - Germany
Hynek Pallas, Svenska Dagbladet - Sweden
Kirill Razlogov, Moskovskaya Pravda - Russia
Denis Seguin, Screen International - Canada
Jorge Gutman, Séquences - Canada

About TIFF: TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. Its vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. TIFF generates an annual economic impact of $135 million CAD and currently employs more than 100 full-time staff and 500 part-time and seasonal staff, and counts upon the largesse of over 2,000 volunteers year-round.

About TIFF Bell Lightbox: Currently under construction, TIFF Bell Lightbox, a breathtaking five-storey complex located in downtown Toronto, will provide a permanent home for film lovers to celebrate cinema from around the world and will propel TIFF forward as an international leader in film culture. Designed by innovative architecture firm KPMB, TIFF Bell Lightbox's fluid structure encourages exploration, movement and play. The campaign to build TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by founding sponsor Bell, the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, the King and John Festival Corporation - consisting of the Reitman family and the Daniels Corporation - RBC as major sponsor and official bank, Visa†, the Copyright Collective of Canada, NBC Universal Canada, the Allan Slaight Family, the Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation and CIBC. The Board of Directors, staff and many generous individuals and corporations have also contributed to the campaign. For more information on the TIFF Bell Lightbox campaign, visit belllightbox.ca.

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For further information, please contact the Press Office at 416-934-3200 or proffice@tiff.net