LOS ANGELES -- (SPW) --

Productions from Russia, Japan, Switzerland and Australia have been selected Best of Festival in the 2017 U.S. International Film & Video Festival competition. A Belgian film has won the One World Award.

Best of Festival-Corporate was "Breadwinner," done for Minsk Traktor Works, Minsk, Russia, by LBL Production. The film, which featured company employees, sought to expand knowledge of the product, which is sold in 130 countries.

The winner in Documentary was "88 Hours: The Fukushima Nuclear Meltdown," done by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Tokyo. The entry expands the background story of the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant through interviews with more than 500 people involved in the crisis.

Chosen as Best of Festival-Education was "Focus – Federal Intelligence Service" by Centre for Electronic Media, Bern, Switzerland. The entry depicts Switzerland as a country friendly to business and research and sensitive to the threat of espionage and nuclear proliferation.

"Little Lunch – The Nightmare Before Graduation" won Best of Festival in Entertainment. The Australian Children's Television Foundation, Melbourne, sponsored the series for Australian Children's Television. “Little Lunch” refers to a morning tea break, and the shows tell about funny and touching adventures that happen during that 15-minute period. The show is based on books written by Danny Katz and illustrated by Mitch Vane.

"Dare to think!"  – Ghent University won the IQ One World Award, sponsored by the International Quorum of Motion Picture Producers (IQ). The award recognizes a film for its contribution to global understanding and international cooperation, which Ghent University encourages through its commitment to helping students figure out who they are and how the world works. The film was entered by Bozo Film Company, Rotselaar, Belgium.

The 200-year-old university in Belgium wanted an internet film promoting it as a socially committed and pluralistic university that offers independent research and education with a critical, open-minded approach. Ghent University's motto is 'Sapere Aude,' loosely translated as “dare to think,” and the  film evokes a journey into unknown territory, speaking to students and researchers, both engaged in a personal exploration of science, knowledge and experience.

The film was shot over a six-month period, with a total of 15 shooting days and a small crew. Except for a few extras, all characters are real students, deans and researchers.

Ghent also has campuses in Kortrijk and Ostend, Belgium, and a global campus that is part of the Songdo Global University Campus (SGUC) in Incheon, Korea.   

Best of Festival winners also received Gold Camera awards. "Dare to think!" Ghent University earned a Second Place Silver Screen Award in Corporate: Public Relations and a Certificate for Creative Excellence in Corporate: Writing, Concept.

Visit www.filmfestawards.com for more information on all winners.  

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