German Film CROCODILES Cleans Up Three Top Awards at
Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth

The German film, Crocodiles (Vorstadtkrokodile) won three of the major prizes at Vancouver's Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth, winning two Best Picture Awards, chosen by the Youth Jury for ages 8 and up, and the Adult Jury. The film also won the festival's top honour, the Edith Lando Peace Prize, a $ 500 cash award for "the film that best utilizes the power of cinema to further the goal of social justice and peace on earth".

Directed by Christian Ditter and based on a beloved German young-adult novel, this humourous film explores the subject of children with disabilities,and themes of understanding difference and finding the courage to accept help. The awards were presented on Sunday, April 11 after the Young Filmmaker's Showcase screening at the Vancity Theatre.

Executive Director Venay Felton says, "to encourage youth participation, these awards are part of Reel 2 Real’s continued commitment to the belief that critical assessment of films for young audiences should be made by youth themselves. This means youth get their own vote."

The results of the Awards are as follows:

Youth Jury:

Youth Jury (ages 8+) Best Picture - Crocodiles (Vorstadtkrokodile, Germany, dir: Christian Ditter)
Youth Jury (ages 13+) Best Picture - French Girl (Francaise, France/Morocco, dir: Souad El-Bouhati)
National Film Board of Canada Award for Best Animated Film (for all ages) - Lightheaded (USA, dir: Mike Dacko)

Youth Jury Most Inspirational Short Film (8+) - Funky Prairie Boy (Canada, dir. Mike Schultz)
Youth Jury Most Innovative Short Film (8+)- Elephants (UK, dir: Sally Pearce)
Youth Jury Most Inspirational Short Film (13+)- Barbee Butcher (Czech Republic/Netherlands, dir: Sophie Langues)
Youth Jury Most Innovative Short Film (13+)- Mémère Métisse (Canada, dir. Janelle Wookey)

Adult Jury Awards:

Adult Jury Best Picture - Crocodiles
Edith Lando Peace Prize - Crocodiles
Young Filmmaker's Showcase Grand Prize - Until the Sun Sets, (Canada, dir: Devyn Brugge)

This year, the Adult Jury was comprised of:

Paal Wilhelm Nesset - filmmaker and former game developer at Electronic Arts.
Peg Campbell - filmmaker and past winner of ‘Most Inspirational Film’ at Reel 2 Real
Kamala Todd - Metis-Cree writer, filmmaker, community planner and mother.

And the Young Filmmakers Showcase Jurors are:

Bruce Sweeney - award winning local feature filmmaker
Laara Sadiq - two time Jesse Award winning actor and Leo Award nominee
Harry Killas - filmmaker and instructor at Emily Carr University.

Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth is grateful for the support of: Telefilm Canada, British Columbia Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, City of Vancouver, Department of Canadian Heritage, National Film Board of Canada, Edith Lando Charitable Foundation, Goethe-Institut Toronto, Italian Cultural Institute, the Consulate General of France, Global TV, Radio Canada, and The Georgia Straight.

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Media Contact: Helen Yagi (604) 736-5517, or