Name: Shana Myara
Country: Canada
Festival: Vancouver Queer Film Festival

How do you like Berlin? What is special about the city for you?

This is my second trip to Berlin. It’s very affecting to be here, since I’m the first member of my family to return since my grandmother fled in 1940.

How would you describe the Berlinale in one sentence?

It’s a film-lovers festival–for a queer diversity of us.

What was your first encounter with the TEDDY AWARD?

In 2007, I saw Tilda Swinton at the Teddy Awards Gala!

In your eyes, what does the TEDDY AWARD symbolize? What does it stand for? What makes it unique?

It’s an incredibly important prize, and it shows that The Berlinale takes pride in its LGBT themes. Importantly, it also sends an vital cultural message about acceptance that transcends film and hopefully enters everyday life.

Tell us about a movie you’ve recently seen.

Le Bal. With my mother last night. Extraordinary film and vision.