HFF unveils Hollywood World Awards shortlist

The five films are Jane Campion’s Bright Star (UK/Australia), Luca Guadagnino’s I Am Love (Italy), Jessica Hausner’s Lourdes (France/Austria), Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet (France) (pictured), and Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon (Germany/Austria).

This year’s judges are: Screen critic Dan Fainaru (Israel); Screen critic and Sarajevo Film Festival programmer Howard Feinstein (US); The Times BFI London Film Festival artistic director Sandra Hebron (UK); Screen and The Daily Express critic Allan Hunter (UK); The Evening Standard critic Derek Malcolm (UK); Screen critic Lee Marshall (Italy); Thessaloniki International Film Festival director Despina Mouzaki (Greece); CPH:PIX – Copenhagen Film Festivals director Jacob Neiiendam (Denmark); Screen critic Jonathan Romney (UK); and Sydney Film Festival director Clare Stewart (Australia).

“These five films are not just among the best international films, but the best films made this year,” Goodridge said. “In addition, we are extremely proud to honour these titles with selection for the Hollywood World Awards.”

The Hollywood World Awards are regarded as a key indicator of the season’s likely foreign-language heavy hitters. Prior winners include The Motorcycle Diaries, The Sea Inside, The Class, and 4 Months, 3 Weeks And 2 Days.

Qualifying films must have received their world premieres between October 1 2008 and October 1 2009.

Christoph Waltz from Inglourious Basterds will receive the Hollywood Supporting Actor Award while Father Rick Frechette will be honoured with the Hollywood Humanitarian Award.

“It is an honour to recognise the outstanding talent of Christoph Waltz, as well as the great humanitarian work that Father Rick Frechette has been providing for the last two decades,” HFF festival founder and executive director Carlos de Abreu said.