The Leo Award Winners AnnouncedWinners in the regional awards for excellence in film and television in British Columbia, Canada, The Leo Awards, have been announced. Bardel Animation's THE CHRISTMAS ORANGE swept the competition winning for Best Program (Animation), Best Musical Score, Best Direction and Best Children's Program as well as Best Youth Program where it competed against live-action and animated programs. The Program (Animation) and Children's Program prizes were presented to Cathy Schoch, Delna Bhesania and Barry Ward. Brian Carson and Ari Wise were awarded the Best Musical Score, while Ian Freedman took home the Best Direction/Story Boarding in an Animation Program or Series award.
Freedman said, "It is an honor to receive an award such as this and I am very proud of my crew and the tremendous effort they put into the film. I have long maintained that fruit has been overlooked in the world of animation and hope to move into more exotic food groups with future projects."
Also taking home a prize for animation were Gael MacLean, Haida Paul, Bill Sheppard and Dean Giammarco for Best Overall Sound for their work on JOE. Established in 1998, The Leo Awards celebrate excellence in British Columbia film and television. The Leo Awards 2003 were held at the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina in Vancouver, Canada, during two separate ceremonies on May 9 and May 10, 2003.
