WILDSCREEN Bristol, UK (October 2000) THE GREAT DANCE takes top prizes at Wildscreen 2000 THE GREAT DANCE, a 75 minute Dutch/South African co-production, won 3 Panda Awards at the Wildscreen Festival 2000 in Bristol, United Kingdom: o WWF Golden Panda Award for the best entry overall o Delegates' Choice Award given by the delegates for their favourite entry o Production Crafts Award for best script, written by Jeremy Evans This is the first time a film has won 3 Panda awards in the 18-year history of the festival. It is also the first time a film has won both the Golden Panda and Delegates' Choice Award. Further, it is the first time ever that a South African or Dutch producer has won the Golden Panda. THE GREAT DANCE also received 2 additional nominations for best Music and the Animal Planet Human & Animal Award. THE GREAT DANCE deals with the unique relationship between the San people, or bushmen, of the Kalahari and their environment, seen through the experience of hunting and tracking. Specially-adapted mini-cam technology and never-before-seen footage of the death-defying 'chasing hunt' make the film a unique and remarkable experience. "Our partners gave us trust and latitude in the making of this film", says Ellen Windemuth, the film's producer and Managing Director of Off the Fence. "We hope this will give independent filmmakers all over the world more freedom to be creative and break new ground in natural history filmmaking. We are very grateful to the Wildscreen jury and delegates for giving us this opportunity." THE GREAT DANCE is a 35mm feature-length documentary. It is also available in a 53' version for television broadcast. Filmed and directed by South African brothers Craig and Damon Foster, produced by Ellen Windemuth, executive produced by James Hersov and written by Jeremy Evans, the film is a collaboration between four independent production companies: Earthrise and Liquid Pictures based in Cape Town, Aardvark Pictures of Johannesburg and Amsterdam-based Off the Fence. It is co-produced with KirchMedia GmbH, Primedia Pictures and e.tv. THE GREAT DANCE is distributed in territories worldwide by Off the Fence and KirchMedia. The film receives the full endorsement of WIMSA - the Working Group on Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa - an organisation instrumental in the preservation and nurturing of San culture. WILDSCREEN - the world's largest and prestigious festival of natural history film and television - is held biennially in Bristol, UK. Principal sponsors are BBC, Discovery Channel and United Wildlife. INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE FILM FESTIVAL 2001 - Albert, France (March 2001) o Prix Special du Meiller Montage - Best Editing Award o Nominated for the Jury Award o Nominated for the People-Animal Award THE INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE FILM FESTIVAL (IWFF) Missoula, Montana, USA (April 2001) http://www.wildlifefilms.org The Great Dance: A Hunters Story was a Finalist, and won many awards at the 24th Annual International Wildlife Film Festival. AWARDS Best of Festival Best of Category Human Dimensions Best Narration Best Use of Music Best Script 2nd Place, Best Original Score, 3rd Place, Best Photography Finalist Merit Award for Education Value, Merit Award for Presentation of Wildlife/Cultural Interrelationships, Merit Award for Storytelling, Merit Award for Editing, Merit Award for Sound Mix THE IWFF The International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF), based in Missoula, Montana, was founded by the noted bear biologist Dr. Charles Jonkel as the world's first juried wildlife film competition in 1977. A not-for-profit organisation, the IWFF is international in every aspect, attracting scientists, filmmakers, academics, students, teachers, families and the interested public from around the world. The Mission of the International Wildlife Film Festival and the International Wildlife Media Centre is to foster knowledge and understanding of wildlife and habitat through excellent, honest wildlife films and other media. In addition to our annual week-long Film Festival, we provide year-round wildlife media programs, educational wildlife experiences and special activities. 34th ANNUAL WORLDFEST HOUSTON (Houston International Film Festival) Houston, Texas, USA (April 2001) o Gold Special Jury Award in Nature and Wildlife o Finalist for the Grand Remi Award, the top film & video production TELLURIDE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL Colorado, USA (May 2001) o Best of Festival " In a remarkable tour de force, this eloquent film combines Bushmen dialogue with creative and artistic filmmaking. The Great Dance propels the viewer into the hunt in a way that is both intimate and compelling - depicting a caring reverence for nature and a threatened way of life. We also note that this film was beautifully narrated." BANFF FESTIVAL 2001 Banff, Canada (June 2001) o Nominated for Best Social & Political Documentary NTVA / AVANTI AWARDS 2001 Johannesburg, SA (July 2001) o Rick Lomba Award: Best Wildlife/Conservation Documentary o Craft Award for Photography o Craft Award for Narration o Craft Award for Directing o Craft Award for Editing o Craft Award for Music 3rd ENCOUNTERS SA INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL Cape Town & Johannesburg, SA (July/August 2001) o Jameson Audience Award for Best Film o Jameson Audience Award for Best South African Film 10th VALLE D'AOSTA INTERNATIONAL NATURE FILM FESTIVAL Italy (August 2001) o Best Photography Award JACKSON HOLE WILDLIFE FILM FESTIVAL Wyoming, USA (September 2001) o Best Human/ Animal Interaction Award o Best Sound Award o Best Editing Award PLANET IN FOCUS: TORONTO ENVIRONMENTAL FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL Canada (September 2001) o Audience Choice Award APOLLO FILM FESTIVAL Victoria West, South Africa (26 September to 6 October 2001) o Award for Technical Excellence INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ASSOCIATED TO THE 7TH WORLD WILDERNESS CONGRESS Port Elizabeth, South Africa (1 - 8 November 2001) o Best of Festival

 

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