Felix, the award-winning, feel-good South African family film, has triumphed again on the international film festival circuit.
The movie won the €5 000 Michel Award for Best Film at The Filmfest Hamburg Michel Children and Youth Film Festival in Germany.
“We chose Felix because it is a film that addresses a variety of topics such as racism and family conflicts,’ said the citation from the seven-person jury, made up of boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 14.
“It also shows how important it is to pursue your dreams. We especially liked the wonderful South African jazz music that is interwoven throughout the film. Felix also deals with serious subjects in a humorous and understandable way.’
This is the third international film festival award for Felix, which won Best Film at the Lucas International Children’s Film Festival in Germany and the Audience Award at Durban International Film Festival in South Africa earlier this year.
Both screenings of Felix has sold out at BFI London Film Festival, which runs until 20 October.
The movie just had an additional screening added at The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), where Ian Bailey wrote in Canada’s The Globe and Mail that, “You need to check if your heart is made of granite if you’re not moved by the exultant final scene’.
VIFF program manager PoChu AuYeung says: “The audience response has been very positive and Felix has been favourably reviewed by our papers. With Felix being one of the popular films of the festival, we are adding a screening next Monday as part of our annual VIFF repeats of audience favourites.’
Felix is directed by South African Film and Television Award Lifetime Achievement winner Roberta Durrant, and is a Penguin Films production for Sabido Productions. The movie is distributed by Crystal Brook Distribution.
The DVD will be available in South African rental stores from 6 January 2014 and retail stores from 20 January 2014.
For more information, visit www.felixthemovie.com or watch the trailer at http://www.screenafrica.com/page/industry-interviews/1634785-Felix-official-movie-trailer#.UlZ7uBDh33A.
