Amal And The Diving Bell And The Butterfly Winners Of The Film Circuit People’s Choice Awards

Toronto – Film Circuit, a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group, today announced Richie Mehta’s Amal and Julian Schnabel’s The Diving Bell and the Butterfly as winners of the 2008 Film Circuit People’s Choice Awards. Selected by Film Circuit audiences across the country, Amal wins for best Canadian film while The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (France) receives the best international film accolade.

The winners of the fourth annual Film Circuit People’s Choice Awards are decided by Film Circuit audiences who vote on the division’s website, filmcircuit.ca, for their favourite film shown at a Film Circuit screening.

“This year’s award winners reflect the strength of filmmaking coming from both fresh and established directors this past year,” said Karen Black, Acting Director of Canadian Initiatives. “We are pleased that Film Circuit has enabled communities across the country to enjoy these films, and to communally appreciate the experience of watching these larger-than-life tales unfold in a medium that matches their grandness. We look forward to providing quality films in the coming year that continue to challenge notions of popular cinema.”

Amal had its world premiere and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly had its international premiere at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival®. Amal was also selected as one of Canada’s Top Ten feature films of 2007, as decided by a national panel of film industry professionals.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is director Julian Schnabel’s adaptation of the memoirs of Jean-Dominique Bauby, a former fashion editor and carefree spirit whose life is rudely interrupted by a massive stroke which renders his entire body paralyzed except for his left eyelid. The film depicts how, through the patience and care of his nurses (including Canadian actress Marie-Josée Croze), Bauby learns a complicated system of communication by which he blinks for each letter of the alphabet, and manages to express himself one final time.

A multi-layered portrait of contemporary India, Amal, which began as a short film and won the Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS! at the 2005 Festival, tells the story of a humble auto-rickshaw driver in New Delhi. When he is presented with an unexpected twist of fate, his life is turned upside down. Amal features renowned actors Naseeruddin Shah (Firaaq), Roshan Seth (Ghandi) and Seema Biswas (Water), as well as up-and-coming international talent Koel Purie, and Canadian actors Vik Sahay and Rupinder Nagra starring in the lead role as Amal.

Film Circuit, a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG), provides transformative experiences to filmgoers in under-served communities through access to Canadian and international independent films they would otherwise not have the opportunity to see. With over 200 groups in 164 communities across Canada, Film Circuit is essential in helping TIFFG build markets and audiences for Canadian work. Film Circuit is the recipient of the Peter F. Drucker Award for Canadian Nonprofit Innovation presented by the Peter F. Drucker Canadian Foundation. For more information, visit filmcircuit.ca.

Film Circuit is generously supported by Bell, Telefilm Canada, Ontario Media Development Corporation, Ontario Arts Council, Cineplex Entertainment LP, The McLean Foundation, Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada and Department of Canadian Heritage.

Bell Lightbox
Currently under construction in downtown Toronto, Bell Lightbox is soon to be the world's leading destination for film lovers. This major new cultural institution on the Canadian and international landscape will be structured around five state-of-the-art cinemas celebrating film from around the world. Bell Lightbox programming will give context to films through innovative cross-media exhibitions, lectures, and film-related learning opportunities for all ages. Designed by innovative architecture firm KPMB, Bell Lightbox's fluid design encourages exploration, movement and play within its soaring atriums.

The campaign to build Bell Lightbox is generously supported by founding sponsor Bell. The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario each have contributed $25 million to realize Bell Lightbox. A gift of more than $22 million has been confirmed from the Reitman family – acclaimed filmmaker Ivan Reitman and his sisters Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels – and The Daniels Corporation, who together form the King and John Festival Corporation. The project is also supported by RBC as Major Sponsor and Official Bank, Visa†, Copyright Collective of Canada, NBC Universal Canada, The Allan Slaight Family, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, CIBC, and many other individuals and corporations. The Board of Directors, staff and many generous individuals have also contributed to the campaign. The total amount raised to date is $147 million, three quarters of the total campaign of $196 million. For more information on the Bell Lightbox campaign, visit belllightbox.ca

We are a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. Our vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image.

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For information, contact the Communications Department at 416-934-3200 or email proffice@tiffg.ca