FILM AWARDS PUT BRISBANE ON THE BIG SCREEN

LORD Mayor Graham Quirk says Brisbane is forging ahead as a leading destination in the Asia Pacific region, following success at the recent Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

More than 1000 people attended the Brisbane event which recognises and promotes cinematic excellence in one of the fastest-growing film regions.

Quirk says Brisbane City Council is working to ensure major event organisers are looking to Brisbane as a destination to host events.

"The Asia Pacific Screen Awards were again a success - it is a celebration of the growing film industry in the Asia Pacific region," he says.

"Some of the nominees from this event last year went on to become academy award winners so it does indicate the level and status of these award ceremonies.

"It is an event which reaches out to 4.5 billion people - its 70 nations representing more than half of the worlds film production.

"The important thing about it is it further develops relationships and places Brisbane in a position of prominence within the Asia Pacific region."

Quirk says the event is acknowledged by the Motion Picture Association as the "preeminent" awards in the Asia Pacific and described the event as the "Oscars of the Asia Pacific region".

"The city is very focused on the region in which we live," he says.

"We have always nailed our colours to the mast and have unashamedly placed the Asia Pacific region at the forefront of what we do."

36 films from 21 Asia Pacific countries and areas received nominations with more than 250 films in the running for awards.

New Zealand's Cliff Curtis took home the Best Performance by an Actor award for The Dark Horse while iconic Australian actor David Gulpilil received a special mention for Charlies Country.

Russian film Leviathan took home the top gong, winning Best Feature Film.

In addition to being the home for the Screen Awards, Brisbane is the secretary for the Asia Pacific Citys Summit and will also host the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Modern Art in 2015.

Picture (L-R) - Actor Cliff Curtis, Jury member and actress/writer/director Hiam Abbass, Actor David Gulpilil.

WINNERS 2014 

BEST FEATURE FILM
Leviafan (Leviathan) Russian Federation, produced by Alexander Rodnyansky and Sergey Melkumov and co-produced by Marianna Sardarova

BEST YOUTH FEATURE FILM
Sivas Turkey, Germany, produced by Yasin Mjdeci, co-produced by Nesra Grbz and idem Mater

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
Hezar-o yek Siv (1001 Apples), Iraq, produced by Taha Karimi

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Kaguya-hime no Monogatari (The Tale of The Princess Kaguya), Japan, produced by Yoshiaki Nishimura

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
Nuri Bilge Ceylan for Ki Uykusu (Winter Sleep), Turkey, France, Germany

BEST SCREENPLAY
Nima Javidi for Melbourne Islamic Republic of Iran

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
Dong Jinsong for Bai Ri Yan Huo (Black Coal, Thin Ice), People's Republic of China, Hong Kong (PRC)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR
Cliff Curtis in The Dark Horse, New Zealand

SPECIAL MENTION BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR
David Gulpilil in Charlie's Country, Australia

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS
L Zhong in Chuangru Zhe (Red Amnesia), People's Republic of China

SPECIAL MENTION BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS
Merila Zareie in Shiar-E 143 (Track 143), Islamic Republic of Iran

UNESCO AWARD
Shawkat Amin Korki for directing Brannn li ser kevir (Memories on Stone), Iraqi Kurdistan, Germany

JURY GRAND PRIZE
Tui Na (Blind Massage), produced by Nai An, Li Ling, Kristina Larsen, Wang Yong, People's Republic of China, France

JURY GRAND PRIZE
Rakhshan Banietemad for directing Ghesseha (Tales), Islamic Republic of Iran

FIAPF AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION
Emile Sherman (Australia)

APSA Academy NETPAC Development Prize - Reza Dormishian (Islamic Republic of Iran)