UK Film Network

After an already impressive career as a film producer of pictures such as  Children of Men , Dawn of the Dead  and The Family Man,  Marc Abraham makes his directing debut with a classic  ‘David versus Goliath’ tale.

Flash of Genius is the story of Bob Kearns, and engineering professor in Detroit who invents things for the love of engineering, and also to strike it lucky one day for his ever-growing family.

 Kearns hits on an idea to make a windscreen wiper work like an eye. He teams up with a long time friend, and produces a patent which they take to Ford.
Up until this time Ford’s engineers have failed to breakthrough with the invention.
After initial talks with Ford and an agreement reached, production commences on the intermittent windshield wiper. However shortly after this, Ford pulls out of the deal saying they are no longer interested.

Unfortunately for Kearns, he discovers those nasty car moguls pinched his idea and installed the intermittent wiper on all their new models.

 Then begins the fight to get back his invention and to prove that Ford copied the prototypes and force the company to admit that it stole the idea.

This fight has its price. Kearns happy marriage and his relationships with his children are changed irrevocably.

Greg Kinnear as Bob Kearns gives a largely sympathetic portrayal of a man who was widely known as one of the most suspicious and litigious inventors.

In life Bob Kearns was an irascible character sometimes very difficult to deal with.

He got through four lawyers over the period of time he conducted his case against Ford, and at times required his children to help him with paralegal work.

Though his family life suffered, Kearns determination to win against the big guys became an urban legend in inventor circles, in particular for those that  had been stolen from and failed to win their case.

Abraham has been faithful to the story, consulting with Kearn’s himself before his death in 2005 and then with his family.
 
 His poetic licence has been to tell the story over 12 years rather than over 25, the actual time it took to get Ford to court.

It’s an entertaining piece of film making which shows an insight into the lengths to which big car corporations in the 1960s through to the 1980s went to silence their detractors.

The triumph of Kearns win  gives heart to anyone who has had their work stolen, but it also tells the tale of the human cost, especially  when companies do wrong and people must make right.


http://www.flashofgenius.net/

I'm now working with BAFTA on their online activity and the first thing they are keen to let everyone know all about, is their new ACCESS ALL AREAS. It's a new public area of their website and it's not just for professional filmmakers and performers, it's for EVERYONE. 

Join today and start to get more inside news throughout the year. All their fantastic events are held throughout the UK and are open to the public. 

Read more below.

________________________________________


Access All Areas

BAFTA is the UK’s foremost charity working with the leading lights in film, TV and videogames. Access All Areas is our way of making their expertise available to everyone. 

We work with learners of all ages – from young children who want to find out more about how their TV show, film or game is made; to students wanting to know about working in the industry; to industry professionals who want to learn from the successes of their peers. 

What is learning for BAFTA?

All of BAFTA’s events are part of our learning strategy. 

Our events help to develop an accomplished, vibrant and diverse workforce for the UK’s film, TV and video games industries by sharing expertise and developing relationships within the industries. 

BAFTA is lucky enough to count some of the most successful and talented practitioners as our members and friends. Our events allow them to share the secrets of their success with their peers, the public and with those who are pursuing careers in the industry. 

Examples of BAFTA’s sharing expertise

• A BAFTA Interview – Julie Walters – The acclaimed TV and film actress spoke to an audience of BAFTA members and the public about her career experiences, sharing stories of how she got into the industry, how she approaches her work and her relationship with directors. 
• Short Sighted – BAFTA’s event for short film-makers, demonstrating how they should plan for exhibition and distribution. A day long event including case studies from recent successful short film-makers
• Games Speed Surgeries – over 2 days BAFTA members working in the games industry took part in 15 minute surgeries for young people wanting to get into the industry. 
• BAFTA Families Storyboarding Workshop – an interactive workshop at Leeds Young People’s Film Festival with storyboard artist Temple Clark. Temple showed the audience what his job entails and explained the role of a storyboard artist in the production process. 
• BAFTA Schools Sessions at National Schools Film Week – BAFTA-winner Stephen Frears spoke to an audience of school children about his work before a screening of Dirty Pretty Things. 

What we do

BAFTA is not a training provider but offers expertise-sharing as a complement to training and other forms of learning.

BAFTA’s focus is on production skills – we help the public to deepen their understanding of the production process and also help the industry to define best practice.

Our events encourage creativity, but focus is on professional skills, encouraging people to make the business choices which will help them turn their creativity into a successful career. 

Learning takes place across regional partner venues, at 195 Piccadilly, and online. Online environments will become increasingly important in the 21st century so BAFTA will continue to develop on-line resources from our events. 


To sign up to the BAFTA newsletter visit:-
http://www.bafta.org/newsletter/

http://www.bafta.org/

Hello UK FILM NETWORKERS

Hope you are well. My wrist injury is recovering slowly but surely so I’m just about back to writing again. There’s been a lot going on as you can imagine. 

Not least of which I'm pleased to say that my first documentary feature, Making It In Hollywood, is now on it's way to festivals, distributors and broadcasters. It was completed exactly 2 years after it started at the Oscars in 2007 and it was spooky to see my Kate Winslet clip where I wished her "Good luck for tonight Kate", as she walked down the red carpet. It was only two more years for her to really make it in Hollywood.

If you didn't read the "Top Ten Sundance Films You Must See", it's featured in the latest Film And Festivals magazine. It's now in high resolution digital format at their website and provides all the details of film festivals around the world. 

I’ve also been receiving invites to film festivals, getting offered discounts on renting film and training courses. All of which of course I can pass on to members of the UK FILM NETWORK. I hope you’ll be able to make use of these offers, discounts and invitations.


Douglas McFarlane
editor@ukfilm.tv 

Performers, filmmakers, writers can join our new social networking site @
http://www.ukfilm.tv 


>>>>>

FILM AND FESTIVALS MAGAZINE

Check the page “Top Ten Sundance Films You Must See “

http://www.filmandfestivals.com/

>>>>>


RAINDANCE FILM COURSES
Our filmmaking courses aim to give individuals the tools to get out there and start shooting.
We combine the best filmmaking traditions with new digital technology – a policy that works. In the last twelve months, over 3,000 filmmakers - writers, directors, producers, actors, agents, film and media students - attended our courses in London, Europe and Canada.

http://www.raindance.co.uk/site/

UK FILM NETWORK is partnering with Raindance to offer a special discount. Contact editor@ukfilm.tv or reply to this message.

>>>>>

DO YOU LOVE FILM ?

Love Film contacted me today and said they had come across the UK FILM NETWORK group and wondered if members would be interested in a special offer on LOVEFiLM? I’ve used their service a few times to download films to watch or use their postal service. I’d recommend giving it a try if you haven’t already. The code below gives new members a 2 month free trial. Enter it at http://www.lovefilm.com


CODE: FCMBHAAG7

>>>>>


MARBELLA


I am looking for film submissions for this years Marbella International Film Festival - submissions deadline is 30th June. Submissions in on DVD - can be shorts, documentaries, features or animation.

If you can ask your contacts or film makers please they can email me for T&C's, details etc to: liz@marbellafilmfestivalsl.com. 

>>>>>


Birds Eye View Film Festival 2009
March 5th -13th 2009
BFI Southbank, ICA
Celebrating the best women filmmakers from around the globe with 70 events over 9 days at the BFI Southbank, The Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Gate (Notting Hill), and Picturehouse Cinemas across the UK.

http://www.birds-eye-view.co.uk/


>>>>>


LIDF08 Programme

8 DAYS | 8 VENUES | 80 FILMS | LIDF08 | A CONVERSATION IN FILM

http://www.pocketvisions.co.uk/lidf/


>>>>>


END OF PIER FESTIVAL (WORTHING)

Friday 24 April to Saturday 2 May 2009
Various venues in Worthing
Worthing Theatres Box Office 01903 206206

Sat 25 April in the Ritz (daytime) - Short drama films.

Sun 26 April at the Pavilion - Young filmmakers event (PG).

Monday 27 April in Ritz - Made in Worthing Day – films either made by local people, filmed locally or about local events. Including recent and vintage footage.

Wednesday 29 April in Ritz - European day.

Inside this update
- Sky/Wrist/Network
- Doug’s Radio Blog
- Oscar Predictions
- Walk Along The Red Carpet
- Sky News Feature
- UK Theatre Reviews
- Facebook/Twitter Links




Hope you had a good week. I was contacted at the last minute this week to appear on Sky News. It all went very smoothly and you can see my nice blue plastercast on screen. It’s off now, and my wrist is slowly starting to heal. I have started typing again with two hands with this newsletter. Slowly but surely does it. 

It’s nice to see the social networks starting to get a few hundred people posting, blogging and connecting on theatre and film. If you haven’t already, take a couple of minutes to join, it’s simple and quick.

http://www.ukfilm.tv
http://www.uktheatre.tv


Have a great week ahead.

Douglas McFarlane

>>>>>

Tune In to Doug’s Radio Blog at 12 noon on Saturday’s. 

This week’s show includes David Bowie, George Michael, Simon And Garfunkel, Kraftwerk and Savage Garden.
http://www.nevisradio.co.uk

>>>>>

Oscar Predictions

Here are my predictions for tomorrow night’s Oscar’s with a link to all the nominees and printouts for you to make your own choices. I’ve also included a link to a bit of film footage I took in 2007 to share the experience of walking along the red carpet with you. I choose not to go this year for a change, but I’m keeping in touch via twitter as Jon Gripton, who introduced me to Sky News in October 2007 and who I subsequently bumped into on the red carpet last year. His tweeter id is listed at the bottom with some other tweeters for you to follow.


Actor In A Leading Role - Brad Pitt

Actor In A Supporting Role - Heath Ledger

Actress In A Leading Role - Kate Winslet

Actress In A Supporting Role - Penelope Cruz

Best Documentary Feature - Trouble The Water

Directing - Danny Boyle/Slumdog Millionaire

Best Picture - The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button


http://www.oscar.com/nominees



Walk Along The Red Carpet

A short walk I took along the red carpet at the Oscars 2007 in order to share the experience. A section of this footage is used in the film Making It In Hollywood, currently being submitted to film festivals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFeBMgkbKH4


>>>>>


Sky News Feature

Top Web Stories: A YouTube Symphony, Friends Reunited Try To Meet Buyer And More Popular Internet News
In this edition of Sky.com Movers Douglas McFarlane from uktheatre.net introduces a woman caught on camera having a tantrum at a Thai airport, a YouTube symphony and more popular stories from the internet.

http://tinyurl.com/cqgpdg


>>>>>


Regional Premiere of Tom Stoppard's Rock 'n' Roll at Manchester Library Theatre

Rock ‘n’ Roll
Library Theatre, Manchester
17 February 2009

Abba has Mamma Mia; Queen has We Will Rock You; Madness has Our House; now Pink Floyd has Rock ‘n’ Roll, a jukebox musical which weaves the band’s greatest hits into a narrative about The Prague Spring and the eventual collapse of Communism in 1990.

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/regional-premiere-of-tom-stoppardand39;s-rock-and39;nand39;-roll-at-manchester-library-theatre_35.html




The Last Resort
The Customs House, South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Strangeface Theatre’s production, The Last Resort, is an interesting concept that combines actors wearing half-masks, puppetry, original music and songs to tell the folk-tale of a remote town on the brink of ruin.

http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/the-last-resort_34.html



Cabaret
UK National Tour – Reviewed at Darlington Civic Theatre
Berlin 1930: The Kit Kat club is a place of decadent and flirtatious celebration, presided over by a sinister Emcee (Wayne Sleep). Sally Bowles (Samantha Barks) is a young British singer who performs there. Cliff Bradshaw (Henry Luxemburg) is an American writer who arrives in Berlin with the hope of finding inspiration to complete his latest novel.


http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/cabaret_33.html


>>>>>


TWITTERS

Jonathan Ross
http://twitter.com/Wossy

Stephen Fry
http://twitter.com/stephenfry

Fearne Cotton
http://twitter.com/Fearnecotton

Jon Gripton, reporter for Sky News, at the Oscars
http://twitter.com/JonGrip

Sara Bareilles
http://twitter.com/sarabareilles

Barack Obama
http://twitter.com/BarackObama

My twittering link
http://www.twitter.com/ukfilm

>>>>>

FACEBOOK GROUPS

Making It In Hollywood – Documentary film project currently submitting to Film Festivals
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2434134276&ref=ts

UK Film Network – Social networking for filmmakers and their audience
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2475992114&ref=ts

UK Theatre Network – Social networking for theatre performers and their audience
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3122300275&ref=ts

The Big Picture – Feature film project currently in script selection
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26318483196&ref=ts

The Time Project – Documentary film project currently in pre-production
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47590808842&ref=ts

 

In this update
- Happy Valentine's
- At the BAFTA's
- Working with BAFTA
- Stephen Fry Follows Me
- Acting at Royal Opera House


Links We Love

http://www.nevisradio.co.uk - click on Tune-In at 12pm-2pm today
http://www.lovetheatre.com/uktheatrenet - Buy West End Tickets
http://www.raindance.co.uk/site/film-training-london-UK - Contact me for discounts


- Happy Valentine's
Happy Valentines Day to you. I hope you got lots of love coming your way, if not, I'm sending some out to you right now. Big UK Theatre hugs from me to you. 

- At the BAFTA's
My heart was alight last week at the BAFTA Film Awards. It was a fantastic night, and I watched the full ceremony this time as a guest, instead of the excitement of last year where I was filming on the red carpet for my first feature documentary, Making It In Hollywood. This time the pace was pleasant as I walked down the red carpet with my daughter. We casually chatted about how I was on the other side last year and looked confidently over at the array of cameras pointing in our direction. We noticed the lovely Fearne Cotton, who was waiting expectantly for some of the A-listers to arrive.


The Royal Opera House is a grand place and Jonathan Ross hosted events nicely and kept the flow going. It was strange seeing Kate Winslet sitting watching events, as you would've seen on TV, with three cameramen and sound technicians rushing around in front of her for the entire 2 hours.


Grosvenor House is where the after awards event is held and it was alive with the energy of those who won their awards as well as those, like me, who were pleased to be part of such an elite company. Mickey Rourke was being filmed at the entrance as we entered, Christian Slater walked passed me at the gents, Kate Winslet was still "gushy" when she walked downstairs to her dinner table, Meryl Streep casually allowed some guests to take her photograph and then it happened. 

As I was getting ready to go and get our car home, I almost walked into an entourage of people coming towards me from the right. I glanced around and became almost fixed to the spot as Penelope Cruz was staring at me. It was a fiery, moody stare, I was clearly in her path. I quickly stepped forward and received a warm smile which made my brain all putty-like. My head turned 360 degrees to follow her and I noticed how slim she was, from the open back of her dress, as she glided in mid-air towards the Lancome stand to get a bit of facial pampering. My head stayed in that state for the next 48 hours. Sigh !

- Working with BAFTA
I also got great news on Tuesday. Following a meeting last year with the Chairman of BAFTA, David Parfitt, and a subsequent follow up chats with a few board members, I will be working with them to help delivering their strategy for 2009. To start with, I'll be producing a report over the next 4 weeks on all things online, social networking, new media, and events. Not just for filmmakers, but audiences as well, around the UK and the world. You can help too, and I will let you know next week where I would appreciate your support and input. I'm excited to be able to help make a difference.

- Stephen Fry Follows Me
It's true, I joined the twittering twits who titter as they twitter all twinkling day. http://twitter.com/ukfilm - one of the good things is that any of our reviewers magazine article on UK Theatre or UK Film, gets automatically uploaded. Spreading the reach even further. It must've prompted that well known twitterer Stephen Fry to click "follow" on my profile. 

- Acting at Royal Opera House
Right, back to reality and there's a great article from Grainne Gillis who shares what it's like to be performing on the very stage where the BAFTA's were held. There's also some new reviewers who have published to the magazine this week.

Have a great week where you are.

Douglas McFarlane
http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine.html



----------------------------------------------------------------------


Being an actor – in opera
By Gráinne Gillis

It actually came about by chance that I auditioned for the Royal Opera House. One Friday afternoon, I got a call from the assistant chorus manager, Ruth Mulholland, asking me if I would be interested in attending an audition for an obscure (to me) opera called Die tote Stadt

Read on.....
http://www.uktheatre.tv/magazine/read/being-an-actor-�-in-opera_29.html

TOP TEN SUNDANCE FILMS YOU MUST SEE

BRONSON
You have to see this film to believe it. Director Nicolas Winding Refn and actor Tom Hardy have rewritten the rules of filmmaking with an incredible and gruelling portrayal of notorious prisoner Michael Peterson. I loved everything about this film. From the unique style of acting that Hardy brings to the screen, the camera angles, telling the story from a theatrical perspective, the use of "It's A Sin" during a party scene with inmates. Every single choice the director made in setting the scene was different, fresh, exciting and worthy of recognising as a work of art. GO SEE IT !

AFGHAN STAR
A documentary about the equivalent of X-Factor in Afghanistan. We learn that it's only in 2004 that the government lifted a ban on broadcasting music and entertainment and this is the first programme which has a massive following. Like the mania that follows this type of program in the UK, some people were buying thousands of SIM cards in order to vote for their favourite more than once. The songs were quite amusing after translation, such as "You're like a scorpion with eyebrows meeting in the middle". The program also courted it's own controversy, due to one of the female participants dancing and showing hair resulting in death threats against her and an outcry from a political leader who felt she had disgraced Sharia Law. This documentary is as much a reflection of our own society, as it is of Afghanistan.

IN THE LOOP
This is a very funny film in which Peter Capaldi is a relentless Scottish loudmouth, aggressive, articulate politician. Side splitting humour and incredible dialogue.

AN EDUCATION
Peter Saarsgard is truly brilliant in this coming of age story. The screenplay is by Nick Hornby, so you can be assured of a well written and structured film.

FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN
Two great Irish actors, Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt meet in a fictional televised truth and reconciliation meeting after the end of "the troubles". It's told from the inner thoughts of each of the main characters which lets you know more about what they are thinking as the plan to see each for the first time after one witness the other shooting his brother in the early 80s. Look out for a fantastic fight scene which is both well choreographed and will stun you with it's amazing camera work. How did they do it ?

THE INFORMERS
One of the best openings of a film I've ever seen. An opulent mansion house in the 80s. It's LA and there's a party going on and we hear Simple Minds' New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) playing loudly. The guys wear Raybans, the women are very attractive, Porsche cars come and go and then 1 minute into the film, and if you haven't sat down and settled into your seat, you'll have missed it. Some great performances from Amber Heard (whew!), Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke, Winona Ryder, and even musician turned actor Chris Isaak. 

ENDGAME
It's South Africa in the 80s with the end of apartheid. This is the definitive story and a must see film for everyone. Johnny Lee Miller stood out as Mike Young an executive at Consolidate Goldfields in London, who we learn in the titles that he gave most of the story to the filmmakers. He was in the meetings and therefore had access to personal and private information. FW De Klerk and Nelson Mandela are well cast as was Thabo Mbeki, nicely played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. William Hurt also does well with his South African accent as an Afrikaans Professor.

TAKING CHANCE

Kevin Bacon is perfectly cast in this powerful drama based on the true story of a young soldier, Chance Phelps, who dies in the Iraq War.

http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine/read/taking-chance_24.html

HUMPDAY

Seattle based director Lynne Shelton, creates an hilarious look at what might happen if two straight men took their friendship a little too far.

http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine/read/humpday_23.html

MOON

Sam Rockwell takes us to the Moon in this intriguing sci-fi which explores the possibilities of cryogenics and cloning. 

http://www.ukfilm.tv/magazine/read/moon_22.html

2009 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARDS 

We Live in Public, Push, Rough Aunties and The Maid (La Nana) 
Earn Top Jury Prizes;
Audience Favorites Feature Afghan Star, An Education, The Cove and Push

Park City, UT–The jury and audience award-winners of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival were announced tonight at the Festival’s closing Awards Ceremony hosted by actor Jane Lynch in Park City, Utah. Films receiving jury awards were selected from the four categories: U.S. Dramatic and Documentary Competition and World Dramatic and Documentary Competition. Films in these categories were also eligible for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival Audience Awards. The U.S. Audience Awards presented by Honda were announced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The World Cinema Audience Awards were announced by Benjamin Bratt. Highlights from the Awards Ceremony can be seen on the Sundance Channel, the Official Television Network of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, beginning Sunday, January 25, as well as on the official Festival website, www.sundance.org/festival.

Jury Prizes in Shorts Filmmaking were awarded to American and international short-form films on Tuesday, January 20. Other awards recognized at the ceremony included the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award, created to honor and support emerging filmmakers with their next screenplays, and the Alfred P. Sloan Prize, awarded to a film which excels in addressing compelling topics in science or technology.

"This has been a truly remarkable year for Sundance in ways even we did not fully predict. We opened the Festival with animation and closed with science fiction, and in between showcased some of the best films we've ever seen," said Geoffrey Gilmore, Director, Sundance Film Festival. "People ask us how independent film has evolved over the past 25 years and the answer is, quite simply, it's better."

"We knew this would be an historic year, given our anniversary and the inauguration," said John Cooper, Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival. "But I have to say that adding to the excitement and experience was the selection of truly high quality films in this year's competition. We were blown away and so were audiences." 

The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Juries consisted of: 

U.S. Dramatic Competition:, Virginia Madsen, Scott McGehee, Maud Nadler, Mike White and Boaz Yakin; U.S. Documentary Competition: Patrick Creadon, Carl Deal, Andrea Meditch, Sam Pollard and Marina Zenovich; World Dramatic Competition: Colin Brown (U.S.), Christine Jeffs (New Zealand) and Vibeke Windeløv (Denmark); World Documentary Competition: Gillian Armstrong (Australia), Thom Powers (U.S.); Hubert Sauper (France); Shorts Competition: Gerardo Naranjo, Lou Taylor Pucci and Sharon Swart; The Alfred P. Sloan Prize: Fran Bagenal, Rodney Brooks, Raymond Gesteland, Jeffrey Nachmanoff and Alex Rivera.

For the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, 118 feature-length films were selected including 91 world premieres, 16 North American premieres, and 5 U.S. premieres representing 21 countries with 42 first-time filmmakers, including 28 in competition. These films were selected from 3,661 feature- length film submissions composed of 1,905 U.S. and 1,756 international feature-length films.

The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners:

The Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary was presented to We Live in Public,directed by Ondi Timoner. The film portrays the story of the Internet's revolutionary impact on human interaction as told through the eyes of maverick web pioneer, Josh Harris, and his transgressive art project that shocked New York. 

The Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire, directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul. The film tells the redemptive story of Precious Jones, a young girl in Harlem struggling to overcome tremendous obstacles and discover her own voice.

The World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Rough Aunties, directed by Kim Longinotto. Fearless, feisty and unwavering, the 'Rough Aunties' protect and care for the abused, neglected and forgotten children of Durban, South Africa. United Kingdom

The World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented to The Maid (La Nana), directed by Sebastián Silva. When her mistress brings on another servant to help with the chores, a bitter and introverted maid wreaks havoc on the household. Chile

The Audience Awards are presented to both a dramatic and documentary film in four Competition categories as voted by Sundance Film Festival audiences. The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Audience Awards are presented by Honda.

The Audience Award presented by Honda: U.S. Documentary was presented to The Cove, directed by Louie Psihoyos. The horrors of a secret cove nestled off a small, coastal village in Japan are revealed by a group of activists.

The Audience Award presented by Honda: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire, directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul. The film tells the redemptive story of Precious Jones, a young girl in Harlem struggling to overcome tremendous obstacles and discover her own voice.

The World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary was presented to Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking. After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, Pop Idol has come to television in Afghanistan: millions are watching and voting for their favorite singer. Marking's film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk their lives to sing. Afghanistan/United Kingdom

The World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic was presented to An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby. In the early 60s, a sharp 16-year-old with sights set on Oxford meets a handsome older man whose sophistication enraptures and sidetracks both her and her parents.United Kingdom

Directing Awards recognize excellence in directing for dramatic and documentary features. 

The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to El General and director Natalia Almada. As great-granddaughter of President Plutarco Eliás Calles, one of Mexico's most controversial revolutionary figures, the filmmaker paints an intimate portrait of Mexico.

The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Sin Nombre, written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Filmmaker Fukunaga's first-hand experiences with Mexican immigrants seeking the promise of the U.S. form the basis of this epic Spanish-language dramatic thriller. 

The World Cinema Directing Award: Documentary was presented to Afghan Star, directed by Havana Marking. After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, Pop Idol has come to television in Afghanistan: millions are watching and voting for their favorite singer. Marking's film follows the dramatic stories of four contestants as they risk their lives to sing. Afghanistan/United Kingdom

The World Cinema Directing Award: Dramatic was presented to Five Minutes of Heaven, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert. Two men from the same town but from different sides of the Irish political divide discover that the past is never dead. United Kingdom/Ireland

The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award was presented to Nicholas Jasenovec and Charlyne Yi for Paper Heart. Even though performer Charlyne Yi doesn't believe in love, she bravely embarks on a quest to discover its true nature - a journey that takes on surprising urgency when she meets unlikely fellow traveler, actor Michael Cera.

The World Cinema Screenwriting Award was presented to Five Minutes of Heaven, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert. Two men from the same town but from different sides of the Irish political divide discover that the past is never dead. United Kingdom/Ireland

The U.S. Documentary Editing Award was presented to Sergio. Directed by Greg Barker and edited by Karen Schmeer, the film examines the role of the United Nations and the international community through the life and experiences of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the U.N.'s High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The World Cinema Documentary Editing Award was presented to Burma VJ. Directed by Anders Østergaard and edited by Janus Billeskov Jansen and Thomas Papapetros. The film takes place in September 2007 as Burmese journalists risk life imprisonment to report from inside their sealed-off country. Denmark

The Excellence in Cinematography Awards honor exceptional cinematography in both dramatic and documentary categories. 

The Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary was presented to The September Issue. With unprecedented access, director R.J. Cutler, cinematographer Bob Richman and their crew shot for nine months to capture editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her team preparing the 2007 Vogue September issue, widely accepted as the "fashion bible" for the year's trends. 

The Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Sin Nombre, written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Cinematographer: Adriano Goldman. Filmmaker Fukunaga's first-hand experiences with Mexican immigrants seeking the promise of the U.S. form the basis of this epic Spanish-language dramatic thriller.

The World Cinema Cinematography Award: Documentary was presented to Big River Man, John Maringouin's documentary about at an overweight, wine-swilling Slovenian world-record-holding endurance swimmer who resolves to brave the mighty Amazon in nothing but a Speedo. U.S.A./United Kingdom

The World Cinema Cinematography Award: Dramatic was presented to An Education, directed by Lone Scherfig from a screenplay by Nick Hornby. Cinematographer: John De Borman. In the early 1960s, a sharp 16-year-old girl with sights set on Oxford meets a handsome older man whose sophistication enraptures and sidetracks both her and her parents. United Kingdom

A World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Originality was presented to Louise-Michel, directed by Benoit Delépine and Gustave de Kervern, about a group of disgruntled female French factory workers who, after the factory abruptly closes, pool their paltry compensation money to hire a hit man to knock off the corrupt executive behind the closure. France
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize: Documentary was presented to Tibet in Song directed by Ngawang Choephel. Through the story of Tibetan music, this film depicts the determined efforts of Tibetan people, both in Tibet and in exile, to preserve their unique cultural identity. Choephel served six years of an 18-year prison sentence for filming in Tibet. Tibet
A World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Acting was presented to Catalina Saavedra for her portrayal of a bitter and introverted maid in The Maid (La Nana). Chile
A Special Jury Prize: U.S. Documentary was presented to Good Hair, directed by Jeff Stilson, in which comedian Chris Rock travels the world to examine the culture of African-American hair and hairstyles.

A Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence was presented to Humpday, Lynn Shelton's farcical comedy about straight male bonding gone a little too far. 

A Special Jury Prize for Acting was presented to Mo'Nique for her portrayal of a mentally ill mother who both emotionally and physically imprisons her daughter in Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire.

The 2009 Jury Prize in U.S. Short Filmmaking was awarded to: Short Term 12, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. The jury also presented the International Jury Prize in International Short Filmmaking to Lies, directed by Jonas Odell. Honorable Mentions in Short Filmmaking were presented to The Attack of the Robots from Nebula-5, directed by Chema Garcia Ibarra; Protect You + Me, directed by Brady Corbet; Western Spaghetti, directed by PES; Jerrycan, directed by Julius Avery; Love You More, directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, I Live in the Woods, directed by Max Winston, Omelette, directed by Nadejda Koseva; and Treevenge, directed by Jason Eisener. 

As announced on Friday, Adam, directed by Max Mayer, is the recipient of this year’s Alfred P. Sloan Prize. The Prize, which carries a $20,000 cash award to the filmmaker provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is presented to an outstanding feature film focusing on science or technology as a theme, or depicting a scientist, engineer or mathematician as a major character. 

Let's go to the moon. It's 2025 and we've advanced as a species and know all about cryogenics, cloning and how to mine precious gases to use back on planet Earth as an endless supply of power.

Sam Rockwell takes on the biggest role of his career and is required to carry the entire film with his performance in this factually based sci-fi set entirely on the moon. Apart from an occassional videoconference with his bosses and family on Earth, and the voice of Kevin Spacey as the computer who looks after the wellbeing of the workers on the space station, this is a Sam Rockwell film.

Without giving too much of the plot away, Rockwell takes on challenges that would stretch any actor to the edges of their talent and required him to display a range of characters with significant depth. Good storytelling and a thought provoking look at the sciences of the future.

With music by the talented Englishman Clint Mansell, this film will put Sam Rockwell firmly on the map as a Hollywood actor to watch.