Tokyo FILMeX 2014: CROCODILE Snaps Top Prize

Tokyo FILMeX 2014 ended today with a lineup devoted to Canadian master David Cronenberg. The director's two earliest films, 1969's Stereo and 1970's Crimes of the Future, were shown before his latest, Maps To The Stars, closed the festival. Before the screening of the body-horror maestro's cutting Hollywood satire the festival's awards were announced by a jury headed by Chinese director Jia Zhang-ke.

Grand Prix
Winner - Crocodile Dir. Francis Xavier Pasion The Philippines

Director Francis Xavier Pasion won the Best Film Award at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival for his first film Jay before he went on to take part in FILMeX's own Next Tokyo Masters in 2010. Crocodile, his third film, follows mother Divina as she receives some terrible news; a crocodile has attacked her daughter. Divina wanders the wetland of Agusan del Sur to find her daughters missing body. As she navigates this strange and forgotten region she encounters the people living there providing us an insight into the problems they face.

"This was a surprise, I didn't expect this! This award is special to me because I was an alumnus of Talents Tokyo, the first batch, so to be able to present in competition was a great blessing. This is the first international competition this film has been to, I'm very honored. Thank you to all who watched, this film will help the community, the cash prize will be given to assist them and will help in raising awareness, thank you to the members of the jury for choosing us amongst all the great films in competition. Thank you"

Special Jury Prize
Winner - Next To Her Dir. Asaf Korman Israel

"When we first talked about this film after conversations with my wife about her disabled sister we never expected to get any prizes, our wildest dream was just getting finance. We were worried that an Israeli film that doesn't deal with the political situation in Israel wouldn't be successful. Spending time in this city was prize enough and proof of the power of cinema. Receiving recognition from a jury of film masters is out of this world. Thank you to all jury members and the staff of FILMeX"

Special Mention
Shadow Days Dir. Zhao Dayong China
Read Patryk's recent review here.

Student Award
Winner - Next To Her Dir. Asaf Korman Israel

"It's an amazing honor for me to receive this award. As I'm teaching film in Isreal right now, I am aware of the high standards of film students. As a fan of Japanese cinema it's amazing to get recognition from who could be future Japanese masters. Next to Her is a message of love. I'm glad it touched your heart."

Audience Award
Winner - The President Dir. Mohsen Makhmalbaf Georgia/France/UK/Germany

"Art, especially cinema, can carry this message of peace in this violent world"

Talents Tokyo Award 2014
Winner - Somewhere South of Reality Dir. Juan Franco Abelain

Special Mention
A Family Dir. Mun Kon

The festival's not over yet, head down tomorrow for the final day of screenings.