SOUTH African film Felix has grabbed another two awards at the 31st International Young Audience Film Festival in Poland.
This brings to five the number of international awards garnered since the film started on the festival circuit in October.
The Polish awards were the Marcinek Award, presented by a children’s jury for the Best Children’s Feature Film, and the Teacher’s Jury Award Special Mention for Best Children’s Feature Film.
The movie follows the journey of 13-year-old Felix Xaba, who defies his mother’s wishes by leaving home to chase his dreams to become a saxophonist.
Director Roberta Durrant received the awards at the weekend.
“It is absolutely fantastic that Felix has been so well received by an international audience,” Durrant said.
Movies from Europe, Canada and Africa were all up for the award.
The children’s jury of seven Polish children between the ages of 12 and 14 attended screenings in cinemas in Poland.
The children then decided which movie they liked most and was deserving of the award.
“It’s particularly special to us that children decided on Felix as the best feature film. At the end of the day, the movie is for them,” Durrant said.
Separate public screenings were held for adults and teachers. A jury of teachers then decided what film most deserved the award.
Previous awards Felix has received include the Lucas Award for best feature at the Lucas International Children’s Film Festival in Frankfurt, the Michel Award for best children’s film at the Hamburg Filmfest and the best director award for Roberta Durrant at the Africa International Film Festival in Calabar, Nigeria.
The DVD of Felix became available in rental stores on Monday and will return to the Labia Theatre on December 20. The DVD will be sold in retail stores in January. - Cape Times