Film News: ‘Holy Motors’ is Top Film at 2012 Chicago International Film Festival

CHICAGO – The 2012 48th Annual Chicago International Film Festival and Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director, announced the competition award winners at a ceremony in the ballroom of the Renaissance Blackstone Hotel on October 19th, 2012. The Gold Hugo for Best Film went to “Holy Motors,” from France and Germany.

Kutza made the announcements along with Mimi Plauché, Head of Programming, Programmers Alex Kopecky and Penny Bartlett, plus members of the various juries who worked evaluating the competition. The historic Renaissance Blackstone Hotel was built on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue in the early 20th Century, and the ballroom was used in the film “The Untouchables” (1987). The Festival’s highest honor is the Gold Hugo, named for the mythical God of Discovery.

International Feature Film Competition

’Holy Motors’ Photo Credit: © Chicago International Film Festival

The Gold Hugo for Best Film: “Holy Motors” (France/Germany), directed by Leos Carax

The Silver Hugo: “After Lucia” (Mexico/France), directed by Michel Franco

The Silver Hugo – Best Actor: Denis Levant of “Holy Motors”

The Silver Hugo – Best Actress: Ulla Skoog of “The Last Sentence” (Sweden)

The Silver Hugo – Best Cinematography: Yves Cape and Caroline Champetier for “Holy Roller”

The Silver Hugo – Special Mention: “The Repentant” (Algeria/France)

New Directors Competition

’The Exam’ Photo Credit: © Chicago International Film Festival

The Gold Hugo: “The Exam” (Hungary), directed by Petér Bergendy

The Silver Hugo: “Flowerbuds” (Czech Republic), directed by Zdenek Jirasky

Docufest Competition

’The Believers’ Photo Credit: © Chicago International Film Festival

The Gold Hugo: “The Believers” (USA), directed by Clayton Brown and Monica Long Ross

The Silver Hugo: “Numbered” (Israel), directed by Dana Doron and Uriel Sinai

After Dark Competition

’Antiviral’ Photo Credit: © Chicago International Film Festival

The Gold Hugo: “Antiviral” (Canada/USA), directed by Brandon Cronenberg

The Silver Hugo: “Sleep Tight” (Spain), directed by Jaume Balagueró

Short Film Competition

’Return’ Photo Credit: © Chicago International Film Festival

The Gold Hugo – Best Short Film: “Return” (Israel), directed by Michael Please

The Silver Hugo – Best Narrative/Live Action Short: “Paul” (Israel), directed by Adam Bizanski

The Silver Hugo – Best Documentary Short: “Paradise” (USA), directed by Nadav Kurtz

The Silver Hugo – Best Animated Short: “Oh Willy” (Belgium), directed by Emma De Swaef and Marc James Roeis

Gold Plaque – Best Student Film: “Next Door Letters” (Sweden), directed by Sascha Fülscher

Gold Plaque – Animated Short: “Edmond Was a Donkey” (Canada/France), directed by Franck Dion

Silver Plaque – Narrative/Live Action Short: “Voice Over” (Spain), directed by Martin Rosete

Special Mention – Narrative/Live Action Short: “Café Regular, Cairo” (Egypt), directed by Ritesh Batra

Intercom Award

The Intercom Awards honor a wide range of corporate-sponsored, educational and branded films.

The Gold Hugo: “Handtmann - Idea for the Future” from Naumann Film

Gold Plaque: “Save Bowling” by Brad Bischoff; BBBS by Fengar Films; “May Food Keep Us Together” by Peoples Production Limited; and “Swiss Life - Corporate Movie by Seed Audio-Visual Communication AG

The Chicago Award

Best Chicago/Illinois Based Film: “Consuming Spirits” (USA), directed by Chris Sullivan

By PATRICK McDONALD Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com