The New Zealand film Whale Rider has won a major award at the Sundance film festival in Utah.
After taking the people's choice award at September's Toronto International Film Festival, Whale Rider yesterday won the world-cinema audience award at Sundance.
The film's director, Niki Caro, said the win was a huge thrill.
"As far as I understand, no one's won at both Toronto and Sundance in the same year."
Whale Rider - which had its New Zealand premiere in Auckland on Friday - is based on a novel by Witi Ihimaera. Made by South Pacific Pictures, it tells the story of a young girl trying to find her place within her iwi.
"Audiences for the film have been amazing, because they are really ready to be moved," Caro said. "It's an emotional film and they're reacting well to that, no matter what country we're screening it in."
Whale Rider is screening in the Rotterdam Film Festival, and other festival screenings are planned.
- NZPA
Herald feature: Whale Rider
Whale Rider wins another big award
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.