Crystal Bear for Best Feature Length Film at the Berlin International Film Festival in the Generation Section 14+
Don Quijote Prize for best movie in the youth film programme at the 11th Children’s Film Festival in Kristiansand (Norway)
The Black Balloon's Interests
Heroes
Thomas Mollison - Rhys Wakefield Charlie Mollison - Luke Ford Maggie Mollison - Toni Collette Simon Mollison - Erik Thomson Jackie Masters - Gemma Ward
Hi there,
Here is The Black Balloon team. We will update this site regularly with news and articles about the film and its stars. So keep an eye on it or subscribe the Blog.
THE BLACK BALLOON has been released in Australian cinemas March 6, 2008 and US cinemas December 5. Followed by the Australian DVD September 24. You can order your copy via the following Link
Over the next month more countries will release THE BLACK BALLOON DVD and we will publish those release dates right here: UK - Feb 2, 2009 Poland - Jan 29, 2009
What happened so far:
The Black Balloon had its World Premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany. All 3 screenings were completelly sold out with people even sitting on the floor at the opening night. One week after that night the awards for the Generation section we were screening in were presented...and we got the big one - the Crystal Bear for best feature film in our category.
Since then The Black Balloon has received many awards and even more nomination, here a little list:
* Winner - Crystal Bear for Best Feature Film "Generation 14plus" Berlin Film Festival, 2008
* Winner - Don Quixote Prize, Kristiansand International Children's Festival - Norway, 2008
* Winner – Jury Grand Prix Prize (Bronze Gryphon), Arca Cinema Giovanni Award and Campania Regional Council Award, Giffoni Film Festival, Italy 2008
* Winner - Best Direction in a Feature Film – ADG Awards, Australia 2008
* Winner- Best Original Screenplay – AWGIE Awards, 2008
* Winner – Movie of the Year and Star of the Year (Gemma Ward) Movie Convention - Australia 2008
* Winner – RoC Gold Standard in Filmmaking – Hamptons Film Festival, United States, 2008
* Winner – Best Children's Feature – Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Australia 2008
* Winner – Audience Award St Tropez Cinema des Antipodes, France 2008
* Winner – Best Original Song "When We Get There" and Best Soundtrack Album at Australian Screen Music Awards, Australia 2008
* Winner – Community Service Prize – ASPECT Art Awards, 2008
* Winner – Best Script, Western Australia Premier's Book Awards, 2008
* Nominated – 10 Inside Film (IF) Awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Script, Best Actor, Best Actress, Australia 2008
* Nominated – 11 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards Best Film, Best Director, Best Script, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Australia 2008
* Nominated – Best Screenplay. New South Wales Premier's Awards, 2008
The Black Balloon Soundtrack, featuring songs by Josh Pyke, Glenn Richards (Augie March), David Campbell and Simon Day (RatCat), is in stores from March 3 and you can order it via this link.
Or you can buy the album from the iTunes Music Store any where in the world.
Synopsis:
When Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) and his family move to a new home and he has to start at a new school, all he wants is to fit in.
When his pregnant Mother (Toni Collette) has to take it easy, he is put in charge of his autistic older brother Charlie (Luke Ford). Thomas with the help of his new girlfriend Jackie (Gemma Ward) faces his biggest challenge yet. Charlie’s unusual antics take Thomas on an emotional journey that cause his pent-up frustrations about his brother to pour out, in a story that’s funny, shocking, and ultimately heart-warming.
The Black Balloon is a story about fitting in, discovering love and accepting your family.
We saw the Movie last week here in United States in Visalia, CA it was amazing. We have 3 sons with low functioning Autism and typical twin daughters so we related to this movie very deeply. I can not wait to buy it on DVD and tell all my friends to buy it as well, do you know when the U.S. DVD release will be yet??? My favorite part was when he runs into the house to pee, my son has done that many times!!! LOL
I just wanted to tell you what a magnifciant movie The black Balloon was. I am a single mother of 2 boys and my eldest who is 13 year old has Downsyndrome and Autistism. My 9 year old and I watched it together and we both sat there saying "oh Shane does that" or "Shane hasn't done that for a while". I cried most of the way through it becuase I had never seen my life from the outside looking in and the movie gave me that oppertunity to do so and realise what it is I do on a daily basis and also what my youngest does on a daily basis. I truely hope the movie has opened the eyes of many who assume that Autism is not that bad or who are just plain ignorant to it. From personal experience people do stare at us Children mainly but it makes it worse when their parents dont stop them and for this I limit my outings with Shane. My love for my kids is Grand I wouldn't want them any other way for in Shanes case it makes him...........him. He has a beautiful nature at times everyday and a love that is undescribable. So once more Thankyou to all who made a movie not just on that life but on life of most parents with disabled children. xoxo
wonderful news and very well deserved - such an awesome movie, and having two children with ASD, and three without, i can relate so closely to the script....
being a mom of 2 autistic children, I thought The Black Balloon was such a powerful movie. Such a great movie. The young men in the film gave stellar depictions that didn't sugarcoat anything. I hope it will be on DVD in the US.
just got the dvd and watched it - still love it - such a powerful movie. love it love it love it!!!! cheers to everyone who took part in the creation of this - definitely worth it!!! congratts and thanks once again!! xx
Hiya, thanks for the add. I just want to say what an awesome movie this is! I really respect & admire an actor who can convincingly portray a character with a disability like Charlie. Luke Ford did a brilliant job. bek
heyy how are ya i loved the black balloon its such a good movie it reminds me of my family because my lil bro has autism and i know how hard it is to live with autism i was wondering is there going to be a black balloon 2?? please reply back
Hope THE BLACK BALLOON will screen in Tucson, AZ. (At the Loft or Arizona International Film Festival.) If it does, I would love to see a screener first so I can write a review for our members.
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