Sundance Institute Names Winners of Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award

Sundance Institute and NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) today announced at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival the winners of the 2006 Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Awards. The winning directors from each region will receive a $10,000 director's award and a guarantee from NHK to purchase the Japanese television broadcast rights upon completion of their project. In addition, Sundance Institute will work closely with the award recipients throughout the year, providing ongoing support and assistance in seeking out opportunities to finance and distribute their projects. The winning filmmakers and projects are: Patrice Toye, "The Spring Ritual" from Europe; Fernando Eimbcke, "Lake Tahoe" from Latin America; Cruz Angeles, "Don't Let Me Drown" from the United States; and Kanji Nakajima, "The Clone Returns to the Homeland" from Japan. "These awards are one of the ways Sundance Institute supports distinctive new work thorough the feature film program," said Robert Redford, founder and president of Sundance Institute in a statement.  "In the 10th anniversary of the award, we're pleased to recognize the inspired storytelling of a talented group of filmmakers representing the best in independent voices from around the globe." The four winners will be presented with the award at the Sundance Film Festival award ceremony Saturday. [Brian Brooks]