Press release November 8, 2005
For immediate release

Best of the Fest Audience Award to Pelicanman in Chicago 

Liisa Helminen´sfamily film Pelicanman (Pelikaanimies, 2004) continues to conquer the hearts of different audiences around the world. The audience of Chicago International Children´s Film Festival awarded it last weekend as “Best of the Fest”. The festival was organized October 27 – November 6 for the 22nd time and it is the largest festival of films for children in North America, featuring over 200 animated and live action films from 40 countries.

It has been a pleasant surprise at American festivals that Pelicanman seems to appeal to young, even still illiterate children even though it has Finnish dialogue. In the US, the film has been screened only with subtitles, unlike in e.g. Brazil, The Netherlands, Germany, France and Czech Republic, where it has been dubbed or interpreted. Last weekend, Pelicanman was also screened at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival in Florida, where it also received a warm welcome.

In addition to the festival screenings, Pelicanman has been sold to theatrical and TV distribution in altogether 15 countries outside Finland, e.g. Japan, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxemburg and several East European countries. The international sales agent of Pelicanman is NonStop Sales.

 Pelicanman has been produced by Hanna Hemilä / Lumifilm Oy. The Swedish co-producer is Anita Oxburgh / Migma Film. The main cast includes Kari Ketonen, Roni Haarakangas and Inka Nuorgam.

Further information:

Lumifilm Oy
Producer Hanna Hemilä, +358 400 512 205, hemila@lumifilm.fi
Outi Gaib, +358 40 5139957, lumifilm@lumifilm.fi 
www.lumifilm.fi

NonStop Sales
Judith Toth, +46 70 416 9983

The Finnish Film Foundation
Satu Elo, +358 9 6220 3020, satu.elo@ses.fi

www.pelikaanimies.fi