'The Businessman' Movie by University of Texas Student Wins Best Foreign Film Award at Canada's YoungCuts Film Festival

'The Businessman' Movie by University of Texas Student Wins Best Foreign Film Award at Canada's YoungCuts Film Festival

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Businessman, a movie directed, filmed and produced by UT Austin Film student, John Piette, won last weekend's Best Foreign Film award at Toronto's YoungCuts Film Festival. The prestigious festival for young filmmakers took place October 24-30, 2005, in downtown Toronto and featured an opening gala at the city's Drake Hotel. The Businessman was selected from over 100 screened films, garnering nominations for Special Effects, Original Music, and the coveted Foreign Film award at Saturday's award ceremonies. The 39-minute movie was shown at Rainbow Cinemas thru Sunday, October 30.

The Businessman story revolves around a businessman, Darius Bavarian, who works for Equus, a Texas-based multinational corporation involved in secretive dealings. Mr. Bavarian, played by amateur actor Rickey Williams, uncovers a classified operation that may put him and his loved ones at risk. His line of work remains a mystery to his wife, Faith, played by young actress Jacqueline Claire, who wishes to uncover the truth. With a job on the line, and his marriage shrouded in secrecy, the movie presents a thrilling sequence of events as Mr. Bavarian seeks to unveil Equus Corporation's dark plans. The film was shot on location in downtown Dallas, Enchanted Rock, in the Texas Hill Country, and the Hills of Lakeway Austin suburb.

"I am really psyched by the high recognition The Businessman received from the judges in Canada and from a very talented pool of young filmmakers in that country," said John Piette on his return from the festival to Austin, on Monday, October 31. "The Businessman is a thrilling action adventure of the victory of love and faith over evil, with some really scary moments and cool special effects. It is strange to think of a Texas film as a foreign film - but we all know it's its own country!"

Piette, aged 21, recently became a US citizen. He was born in Sweden and lived in London, UK, and Paris, France, prior to moving to the USA in 1991 as a six-year old child. He is a junior student at the University of Texas School of Communication. As a student filmmaker John took on every aspect of the production, including motivating a crew of student actors to perform for love rather than money.

The Businessman (www.BusinessmanMovie.com) Austin premiere will take place at the University of Texas Union Theatre on the UT campus on Sunday, November 20, 2005 at 8.30 pm. Entrance is free of charge.

About YoungCuts

YoungCuts Film Festival (www.youngcuts.com) is an event showcasing young filmmaking talent. The Festival features films produced by teenagers and young adults ages 14 to 24 years old and serves as a launch pad for young film careers, providing exposure and recognition for some of the most exciting new talent in film from Canada and around the globe. Jay Molton is the Chairman of YoungCuts, Louise Kierans is the organization's President and Peter Bailey is the General Manager.

Source: John Piette

CONTACT: LHP Communications for John Piette, +1-512-608-9102, or +1-512-
468-8569, or luisahandem@sbcglobal.net

Web site: http://www.businessmanmovie.com/
http://www.youngcuts.com/

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