(April 1, 2008 – Toronto, Ontario) -- The 6th Annual Female Eye Film Festival ended on a high note Sunday night following the screening of Shamim Sharif's The World Unseen. This year brought record box office numbers and increased audience support at screenings, panel discussions and receptions.

The festival, founded by director Leslie Ann Coles (pictured above) began last Thursday with Kari Skogland's The Stone Angel, which attracted a near sold-out show. Skogland, accompanied by lead actress Christine Horne, introduced the film. Also in attendance were actors Peter MacNeill, Devon Bostick and Ted Atherton. The movie is based on Margaret Laurence's best-selling novel of the same name and opens in theatres on May 9th.

Friday night featured the Toronto Filmmakers Series, a showcase dedicated to Toronto filmmakers which comprised of six short films presented to a full house.  In addition the Friday night program included a special screening of The Anatomy of Burlesque, a documentary by the late Lindalee Tracey. Filmmaker Peter Raymont led an informative Q & A following the screening.

This year's Script Reading Series and the Good To Go Program proved successful as it helped secure business deals for screenwriters and actors with such key players as Howard Bernstein (President, DocuTainment), Jon Slan (Executive Producer & President, Slanted Wheel Entertainment Inc.) and Angela Argento (Literary Agent, Christopher Banks & Associates).

Female Eye Film Festival awards were presented to deserving female directors and exceptional screenplay writers at the closing night ceremonies at Alleycatz on Sunday night. The award ceremonies also featured performances by stand-up comedian Joanne O’Sullivan and music from The David Bacha Band. 

Following is the complete list of winners at this years festival:

2008 Female Eye Film Festival Honourary Director Award - presented by filmmaker Gail Harvey – Kari Skogland (THE STONE ANGEL, Canada)

Best Debut Director presented by Judy Gladstone (Executive Director, Bravo!FACT - Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) – Karen Hines (MY NAME IS POCHSY, Toronto, Canada)

Best Animation presented by WIFT-T – Angela Edmunds (ARE YOU NORMA?, Saskatoon, Canada)

Best Short Film presented by Carol Whiteman (President & CEO, Creative Women Workshops Association Producer, The Women In the Director's Chair Workshop) – SHERRY WHITE (DIAMONDS IN A BUCKET, Newfoundland, Canada)

Best Experimental Film - Valerie Buhagiar (TELL US THE TRUTH JOSEPHINE, Toronto, Canada)

Best Documentary Film presented by director / cinematographer Zoe Dirse - Alexis Krasilovsky (WOMEN BEHIND THE CAMERA, Los Angeles, USA)

Best Foreign Feature - Andrea Staka (FRAULEIN, Switzerland)

Best of Show presented by Polly Miller (The Backroom Agency) - Marion Hansel (SOUNDS OF SAND, France)


SCREENPLAY AWARDS:

Best Screenplay – Roslyn Muir (HOLD THE SKY)

Best Original Voice – Noemi Zeigler (WHAT DO YOU THINX OF MADELEINE MINX?)

Best Crowd Pleaser - Georgia Abrahams (GROUNDED)

Best Low Budget – Russ Meyer (THE ORGANIC SVENGALI)


YOUNG FILMMAKER AWARDS 08 - AWARDS of EXCELLENCE

THIS STRANGE EFFECT - Ishwaq Mohamed

CAN'T - Ruby Davis

AUGUST FALL - Alyssa Gwendolyn Thiel

UNSAID - Daniella Morra

HOW HIGH - Brittney Robinson

WANDERING - Imam Filfil


The Female Eye Film Festival received support from the following sponsors: Optix Digital Pictures, PCI Sony, Big Bark Graphics, The Women's Post, Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario, Writers Guild of Canada, The Backroom Agency, MD Media Inc., Bell ExpressVU, The Garo Group, Women In Film and Television - Toronto, WARC Gallery, Days Hotel and Conference Centre Toronto Downtown, McClelland & Stewart, Final Draft, Steam Whistle, NorthernStars.ca, blogTO, Peridot Resto.Lounge, Quince Restaurant and Alleycatz.