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.
We are happy to announce that THE BLACK BALLOON has been released in Australian cinemas March 6, 2008. The film is still running in a couple of cinemas, but we have already planed for the DVD release later this year. A special edition of the DVD will come out September 24. You can already pre-order your copy now via the following Link
We would like to ask everyone who has seen The Black Balloon to rate it for the IF Awards 2008. Thanks heaps for it!
Film Festivals:
* Berlin International Film Festival (Winner of the Crystal Bear) - Feb 2008, Germany
* Kristiansand International Children Film Festival (Winner of the Don Quijote Prize) - April 2008, Norway
* Edinburgh International Film Festival - June 2008
still to come:
Giffoni Film Festival - July 2008, Italy
The Black Balloon has been accepted into the Giffoni Film Festival, Europe's biggest Children Film Festival, which will run July 18-26 in Southern Italy.
Over the next month more countries will release THE BLACK BALLOON and we will publish those release dates right here: Netherlands October 30
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.
The Black Balloon was shown at the Kristiansand International Children Film Festival in April 2008, and won the Don Quijote Prize for best movie in the youth film programme.
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.
heya, i was just wondering if you had a dvd release date yet? im looking to purchase the dvd as a present. Unfortunately i am yet to see the movie in full length but from the snipets i have seen and what i have been told, it sounds like its defiantely going to be a favourite.
I'm not sure if I have already commented, sorry if I have, but I loved the movie. My sister and I went to see it on my birthday and it made my day, it really did.
the movie was beautiful. it made me cry more than any other movie I've seen. I have an autistic cousin, so it hit pretty close to home. he's no where near as bad as charlie, but still, it makes you think. xxx
Thanks for the add. I LOVE this movie - it's the first time I've seen my life on the big screen so I can tell people to watch and gain a little understanding!!
Hi guys, saw the film today at Fox Hoyts, so stoked they're showing it there rather than Paris. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!!! It was so Australian, and so beautiful and I felt like I was privileged to see such a story done so well. Congratulations! I'm going to tell everyone to see it. :)
an amazing film with an amazing cast! truely australian, truely heart warming and emotional!!! Congrats majorly to Rhys who did an amazing job on his first feature film!!!! I see big things for you!
hey i just saw it yeaterday, it was fantastic. the scene where the big fight happens was heart wrenching. the acting was so good, but some scenes were ruined by gemma ward. rhys wakefields amazing. i loved it! thankyou!
hey! i saw the movie the other day and it was one of the best movies i have ever seen!!! the actors were so good! it made me laugh and cry at the same time so thanks 4 making such a brilliant movie like this!!! xoxo =]
