[Press Release by Harmony Film Festival]
A film by a Sydney filmmaker which explores the notion of a soundless existence has won the top award at the 2008 HIFF. "White Sound" by Sarah Tracton was selected by the jury as the best film receiving the $2500 prize money.
"It’s a very touching film. I am pleased it won," said Festival’s artistic director Mehrzad Mumtahan.
The awards ceremony took place on Saturday October 4th at the UNSW – The five jurors awarded more than $5000 in prizes and were: Dr. Catherine Simpson, film lecturer (Macquarie University), Dr. Richard Smith, film lecturer (University of Sydney), Dr. Greg Dolgopolov, film lecturer (UNSW), My Le Thi, filmmaker & artist and Faramarz K. Rahber documentary filmmaker and lecturer (Griffith University).
Last year’s best film winner Brendon Brown Killen took the second prize of $1500 (Most Original Concept) for his film "Less than Perfect" and Germany’s Moritz Mayerhofer received the honourable Achievement Award of $1000 for his animation "The Last Tree".
The runner up for this year was "The Pretty Simple Life of an Angelman" by Rhys Votano whose film received a special mention by the judges.
The 2008 Audience Choice Award went to Dellaram Jamali from Ballarat Victoria for "Channel B Presents" which was voted by the audience as their favourite film.