A nthony Shim’s Riceboy Sleeps has won the top Canadian film prize at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF).

The drama feature, produced by writer, director and editor Shim under his Lonesome Heroes Productions banner, won the Best Canadian Film Award, which comes with a $15,000 cash prize. The film was selected by a jury comprised by filmmakers Hannah Cheesman, Andrew Huculiak and Kaveh Nabatian. Ashley McKenzie’s Queens of the Qing Dynasty earned a special mention.

Riceboy Sleeps had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last month, where it picked up the $20,000 Platform prize. Sphere Films International represents global sales for the film, while Game Theory Films is the Canadian distributor.

Sophie Jarvis’ feature Until Branches Bend won the Best BC Film Award earlier during the Sept. 29 to Oct. 9 festival.

Meanwhile, Charlotte Le Bon won the $3,000 Emerging Canadian Director award for her debut feature Falcon Lake. Jury members for the award included Out on Screen programmer and curator Nya Lewis, and filmmakers Kyle Armstrong and Karen Lam. Jarvis earned a special mention. Sphere Films is the Canadian distributor for Falcon Lake.

Also announced was the Vanguard Award, which went to the German film Other Cannibals, directed by Francesco Sossai. The $5,000 prize was selected by jury members Chelsea Birks, learning and outreach director of The Cinematheque; Wendy Chamberlain, senior manager, content programming for streaming platform Kanopy; and filmmaker Kazik Radwanski. India’s Tortoise Under the Earth, directed by Shishir Jha, had a special mention.

Still to be announced are VIFF’s audience awards for its various programs, including the gala and special presentations, as well as its Canadian stream Northern Lights.

Image courtesy of Game Theory Films