MEDIA RELEASE PR37307
Masahiro Motoki Wins Best Actor at Asia Pacific Screen Awards
BRISBANE, Nov. 26/Medianet International-AsiaNet/ --
Japan's Masahiro Motoki has won the Best Performance by an Actor Award at the third
annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards - the region's highest accolade in film in 2009 - for
his leading role in Okuribito (Departures). Announced tonight on Australia's Gold Coast,
the prestigious ceremony featured a special performance by 'AI' who performed the
breathtaking theme song from Okuribito (Departures) to the 800 film industry luminaries
at the Ceremony.
Japan was further acknowledged by a special award presented to Mr Isao Matsuoka,
former Toho Chairman, who was the recipient of the FIAPF Award for Outstanding
Achievement in Film. Mr Matsuoka was on the Gold Coast to personally accept this great
honour.
Thirty seven films representing 16 countries and territories were finalists in the
Awards, which were determined by an International Jury headed by notable Chinese
director and producer Huang Jianxin, joined by Tahmineh Milani (Islamic Republic of
Iran), Gina Kim (Republic of Korea), Aden Young (Australia), Andrew Pike (Australia) and
Pryas Gupta (India).
The Best Performance by an Actress Award winner was Korea's Kim Hye-ja for Madeo
(Mother).
China's Nanjing! Nanjing! (City of Life and Death) received two awards: Lu Chuan for
Achievement in Directing and Cao Yu for Achievement in Cinematography.
Best Screenplay was awarded to Asghar Farhadi for Darbareye Elly (About Elly) who
also received the Jury Grand Prize, jointly awarded to Elia Sulieman's The Time That
Remains.
Best Documentary Feature Film was awarded to Israel's Hashmatsa (Defamation).
Australia's Mary and Max, produced by Academy Award winner Melanie Coombs, won Best
Animated Feature Film and Ye Haeng Ja (A Brand New Life) from Republic of Korea was
awarded Best Children's Feature Film.
Thailand's Sawan Baan Na (Agrarian Utopia) won the UNESCO Award. The Award was
accepted by the filmmaker, Uruphong Raksasad.
Four high commendations were awarded by the Jury to Yang Ik-june who was nominated
for for Best Performance by an Actor for Ddongpari (Breathless), Alisher Khamidhodjaev &
Maxim Drozdov nominated for Achievement in Cinematography for Paper Soldier, Shripal
Morakhia & Mubina Rattonsey nominated for Best Children's Feature for Tahaan: A Boy with
a Grenade produced by and David MacDougall's Gandhi's Children nominated for Best
Documentary Feature.
Full media release, images of red carpet and ceremony highlights available on in the
APSA Media Centre:
Username: apsa Password: apsamedia
SOURCE: Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA)
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