Looking for Alibrandi is Catholic Film Office's Film of the Year

Kate Wood's film, "Looking for Alibrandi" is this year's winner of the Australian Catholic Film Office's Film of the Year award which rewards the promotion of best human values in an Australian feature film.

The criteria for this award is adapted from the award guidelines of the International Catholic Film Organisation (OCIC). These include points of reference such as, is the film of high artistic quality? Does it dramatise positive human values? Can the Film's values be seen in the light of the Gospel? Does the film challenge its audience to respond to its social and justice dimensions and can it be used with groups to understand issues through story and symbols? Does the film reflect its culture?

"Given the criteria, "Looking for Alibrandi" was this year's stand-out film," said Jury Chair and Director of the Australian Catholic Film Office, Fr Richard Leonard, SJ.

"This film is about identity and blame, confronting past lies and uncovering family secrets. Everyone has to face up to who they are, where they have come from and what they want. With humour and intelligence, "Looking for Alibrandi" raises issues that many Australian young people have to confront: marriage breakdown; living between cultures; youth suicide and, grief," said Father Leonard. "The jury was impressed with how the film deals with these issues with empathy and insight."

"Looking for Alibrandi" was adapted for the screen by Marlina Marchetta, who wrote the best selling novel of the same name. The main character, Josie Alibrandi, lives between two worlds. She is a third generation working class Italian/Australian on a scholarship to Sydney's exclusive St Martha's Convent. Unlike her classmates, however, Josie does not know her father. Rather than go through with an abortion as they agreed when Josie was conceived, her mother Christina bore her child. Without knowing he has a daughter Michael moves to Adelaide. Seventeen years later he returns to town.

The Australian Catholic Film Office's film of the year has already taken $8million at the box office in 2000 which makes it one of the top twenty most successful Australian films ever made.

The Australian Catholic Film Office is an organisation established by the Bishops' Committee for the Media.