Toa Fraser's Debut Feature Film 'No.2' Has Won The World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival in Utah. The film was written and directed by Toa Fraser.
The World Cinema Audience Awards are given to both an international documentary and dramatic film in the World Cinema Competition as voted by Film Festival audiences.
"On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Sundance Institute (founded by actor Robert Redford), we celebrate the winning artists and their films, and have been fortunate to share their stories, diverse voices, and original aesthetics with our Sundance audiences," said Geoffrey Gilmore, Director of the Sundance Film Festival.
"This year we've seen a number of films that deal sensitively with the timely and complex issues of cultural assimilation and community. Clearly, these compelling stories along with the quality of filmmaking have resonated with audiences and jury members alike."
Kiwis Writer/Director Toa Fraser, Mia Blake and the film's three producers, Tim White, Philippa Campbell , Lydia Livingstone and New York based actress Ruby Dee attended Sundance. The New Zealanders returned home prior to the award ceremony which took place at Park City Utah where the winners were announced at 5pm, Sunday January 29 New Zealand time.
Last weekend there was an advance screening when No.2 was the No.1 feature film at the opening night of the Open-Air Cinema at the Viaduct in Auckland, a unique summer event in keeping with one of the central themes of No.2 - the celebration of life.
No. 2 will open in New Zealand cinemas on 16 February 2006 by Distributors - Buena Vista International (NZ) the same company responsible for the highly successful cinema release of Niki Caro's "Whale Rider" in 2003.
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