Best Screenplay
Feroz Abbas Khan for GANDHI, MY FATHER India
Gandhi, My Father is the cinematic debut of well-known theatre director Feroz Abbas Khan, a man respected not only for exploring new forms in Indian theatre but also for bringing Hindi theatre into the mainstream. He is best known for his adaptations of The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Death of a Salesman and perhaps his most famous play - Mahatma v/s Gandhi, which was extremely well received the world over. Proficient in various languages, Khan blends the Eastern tradition of story telling with Western sensibilities and modernity.
Michael James Rowland and Helen Barnes for LUCKY MILES Australia
Michael James Rowland studied graphic design at the North Adelaide School of Arts, eventually working as Art Director for the Adelaide Festival of Arts. At the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) his award-winning student films Flying Over Mother (1996) and The Existentialist Cowboy's Last Stand (1995) began his reputation as a passionate and original writer/director. Lucky Miles is Michael’s second screen collaboration with Helen Barnes, an award-winning novelist, the first being BloodSports, a DIY SBSTV initiative.
Kiumars Pourahmad and Habib Ahmadzadeh for NIGHT BUS (Autobus-E Shab) Iran
Kiumars Pourahmad was born in Isfahan in 1949 and started his professional career in 1973 writing film reviews. Three years later, he started writing and making films and TV series. His feature film credits include: For the Sake of Haniyeh, Strange Sisters, The Longest Night, and Edelweiss. In 2006, Habib Ahmadzadeh wrote Conversation with the Shadow. Night Bus is his second feature film.
Lee Chang-Dong for SECRET SUNSHINE (Miryang) Republic of Korea
Lee Chang-Dong graduated in 1980 with a degree in Korean Literature from Kyungpook National University in Daegu. In 1983 Lee established himself as a renowned novelist with his first novel Chonri. Later in his career he turned to movie making, penning two screenplays, To the Starry Island (1993) and A Single Spark (1995). Deciding to move into directing, Lee made Green Fish, (1997), and in 2000, Peppermint Candy. All of his films have received critical acclaim and awards, including Oasis, which won the prestigious Director's Award at the 2003 Venice Film Festival. From 2003 to 2004, Lee Chang-Dong served as the minister of Culture and Tourism in the South Korean Government.
Önder Çakar for TAKVA: A MAN’S FEAR OF GOD (Takva) Turkey
Önder Çakar founded Yeni Sinemaclik San. Tic Ltd with his creative partners, director, Serdar Akar and producer, Sevil Demirci. His previous feature film credits as writer/producer include, Maruf, Dar Alanda Kısa Paslaşmalar. (Offside), Laleli’de Bir Azize (A Madonna in Laleli) and the award-winning, Gemide (On Board).