Tribeca Film Festival: 'Give Up Tomorrow' wins audience award

"Give Up Tomorrow," a documentary tracing the story of a 19-year-old culinary student who was arrested in 1997 for the kidnap, rape, and murder of two sisters on the provincial island of Cebu in the Philippines, won the audience award at the Tribeca Film Festival, organizers announced Sunday evening.

Director Michael Collins will receive a cash prize of $25,000. The movie also received a special jury mention in the world documentary competition at the festival. The film follows the story of Paco Larrañaga, who has maintained his innocence since his conviction and whose case has attracted support internationally from legal-rights groups and foreign governments who have questioned the fairness of his trial.

"From the first standing ovation of 'Give Up Tomorrow' at its premiere at the festival it was clear that audiences were passionate about the portrayal of Paco Larrañaga's unjust incarceration. We hope that the film will raise awareness of Paco's plight and lead to his freedom," Nancy Schafer, executive director of the Tribeca Film Festival, said in a statement. 

-- Julie Makinen

Photo: "Give Up Tomorrow" director Michael Collins, left, and producer Marty Syjuco at the premiere of their film at Tribeca Film Festival. Credit: Dario Cantatore / Getty Images

Oscar winners: Charles Ferguson hopes Oscar broadens 'Inside Job's' reach [Video]

"Inside Job" may have been named the best documentary of the year at the Academy Awards, but the film's director says he thinks the movie has yet to reach a broad audience.

"I hope [an Oscar win] would make more people want to see the film and come to understand something about the situation that the film describes," filmmaker Charles Ferguson said on the red carpet before Sunday's telecast.

Ferguson, who described himself as a former academic, became interested in making a movie about the financial crisis after some of his friends warned about the coming of the meltdown that included "a great deal of very unethical and illegal behavior," he said.

And even though the film was a favorite in the documentary category, producer Audrey Marrs insisted she was anxious as she was about to enter the Kodak Theatre.

"That's very scary," she said. "One can't step into the situation expecting anything, truly."

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— Amy Kaufman

Twitter.com/AmyKinLA

Oscars: 'Inside Job' wins for documentary feature

“Inside Job” won the Oscar for documentary feature at the 83rd Academy Awards on Sunday night. “Inside Job” is an exploration of the causes and corollaries of the 2008 financial crisis. The award goes to Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs.

“Inside Job” competed against “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” “Gasland,” Restrepo” and “Waste Land.” Previously, the film received the Directors Guild Award for directional achievement in documentary and the documentary screenplay prize at the Writers Guild Awards.

The Academy Awards are taking place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood and are being televised live on ABC. We'll carry all the breaking news and reaction here on Awards Tracker.

-- Rick Rojas

Photo: Oprah Winfrey hands the Oscars to Charles Ferguson left, and Audrey Marrs for documentary feature for "Inside Job." Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times.

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Oscars: 'Strangers No More' wins for documentary short

“Strangers No More” won the Oscar for documentary short at the 83rd Academy Awards on Sunday night. The film follows a group of students at the Bialik-Rogozin School in Tel Aviv, where students have come from 48 countries to flee poverty, political strife and warfare. The award goes to Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon.

“Strangers No More” competed against “Killing in the Name,” “Poster Girl,” “Sun Come Up” and “The Warriors of Qiugang.”

The Academy Awards are taking place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood and are being televised live on ABC. We'll carry all the breaking news and reaction here on Awards Tracker.

-- Rick Rojas

Photo: Karen Goodman, Kirk Simon and Karen Tal, winners for best documentary short for "Strangers No More." Credit: Associated Press.

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