Liberty in Film Award Winners Announced: Film Nonprofit Praises Films for Positive Portrayals of Freedom

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the nonprofit Moving Picture Institute (MPI) announced the winners of its fourth annual "Liberty in Film Awards," a celebration of films that explore themes of freedom and individual rights.

"There's no shortage of awards in the entertainment industry, but the Liberty in Film Awards are unique," said Rob Pfaltzgraff, president of the Moving Picture Institute. "We select winners not only on cinematic achievement, but also their expression of important ideas in society like human rights and ordinary people fighting against oppression."

The Liberty in Film award for "Best Picture" went to six-­time Oscar­-nominated Bridge of Spies, for showing the power of the individual to choose principles over politics. In the film, an American lawyer (Tom Hanks) is recruited to defend a Soviet spy during the Cold War. Later, the CIA recruits him to negotiate a Soviet Union prisoner swap. Throughout the film, the attorney's dedication to his ethics, human rights, and the Constitution trump political and community pressure to betray his conscience and the rule of law. Showing that principled heroes don't just exist in the movies, Bridge of Spies is based on a true story.

Other winners include:
Worst Villain, "Immortan Joe" from Mad Max: Fury Road –"Exploring the ramifications of a tyrant with a monopoly."
Spirit of Ideas, Chuck Norris vs. Communism – "Showing art's power to liberate closed societies." Best Male Character, Creed – "Using passion and persistence to become who you are."
Best Female Character, Joy – "Examining the joy of entrepreneurship."
Fan Fav., Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 – "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Best Doc., Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom – "Embodying the struggle for freedom today." Best Foreign, Son of Saul – "Revealing that, even in extreme situations, freedom can find a way." And several honorable mentions.

Selected by MPI staff, the complete list of award recipients and descriptions can be found at http://www.thempi.org/2016_Liberty_in_Film.

About the Moving Picture Institute:
The Moving Picture Institute (MPI) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes freedom through film, comedy, and online video. MPI advances this mission by supporting pro-­freedom

filmmakers at every stage of their careers, creating its own original productions, and empowering audiences to take action. Moving Picture Institute films and filmmakers have won a number of awards including a spot on the Academy Award shortlist for Best Documentary (Battle for Brooklyn) and a Guinness World Record for the largest film screening of all time (Honor Flight).

For more films that promote freedom, check out the Moving Picture Institute Filmography. For past Liberty in Film award winners, visit:
2015 winners online;
2014 winners online.

Audrey Mullen
Moving Picture Institute
(202) 270­-2772
[email protected] 

SOURCE Moving Picture Institute

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