Razor Reel Flanders Film Festival announces winners of 2016 edition

INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE

Bruges, Belgium - November 15, 2016 - Prior to ending its 9^th consecutive edition with a closing night screening of Sang-ho Yeon’s action-packed TRAIN TO BUSAN the Razor Reel Flanders Film Festival announced the winners of both its feature and short film competitions. In the former category, reserved for directorial debuts or sophomore films, THE TRANSFIGURATION took home the Young Blood Award.

Michael O’Shea’s novel merger of vampire mythology and inner-city social realism came out of nowhere when it premiered at Cannes. Since its Un Certain Regard surprise debut earlier this year the film has steadily built up a strong reputation on the festival circuit, driven by its oddly beguiling sense of minimalism and a strong turn by male lead Eric Ruffin.

SAM WAS HERE, a Twilight Zone inspired debut from French filmmaker Christophe Deroo, received a special mention as the runner up in the international feature film competition. The Audience Award went to Adam Tsuei’s THE TENANTS DOWNSTAIRS. An adaptation of novelist Gidden Ko’s bestseller of the same name, director Tsuei’s debut is, at heart, a black comedy that indulges in an eclectic array of subgenres to deliver a stylistically sound homage to perversion. In terms of audience appreciation, the first runner-up was Carles Torrens’ twisted romantic thriller PET.

The Méliès d’Argent competition saw seven European shorts go head to head, with Gary Roberts’ THE PROBLEMLESS ANONYMOUS being the recipient of the top prize.

Over a total of 6 days audiences at Razor Reel 2016 were treated to 27 feature films and 30 shorts from all corners of the world, with The United States, Sweden, Macedonia, Germany, Japan and Taiwan, being among the contributing countries. During its 9^th edition the Cinema Liberty welcomed over 20 guests to the historic city center of Bruges.

Razor Reel is thankful to all filmmakers who shared their works and wishes to thank its dedicated volunteers, sponsors and film enthusiasts without whom the festival could not exist.

Your attendance, kindness and overall enthusiasm were greatly appreciated. Hope to see you next year, at Razor Reel 2017!