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London Film Festival: Holocaust Tale Wins Best Film

London Film Festival

The 57th BFI London Film Festival, in partnership with American Express® announced this year’s Official Competition winners at its high profile Awards ceremony on Saturday evening. British-based director Pawel Pawlikowski‘s latest film, Ida, took the top prize at the close of the festival.

The Observer’s former film critic Philip French announced the Best Film award, saying: “The jury greatly admired Ida, the first film made in his native Poland by a director who came to prominence while living in Britain. We were deeply moved by a courageous film that handles, with subtlety and insight, a painfully controversial historical situation – the German occupation and the Holocaust – which continues to resonate.” 

The Best British Newcomer award honours new and emerging film talent, recognising the achievements of a new writer, producer, director, actor or actress. The award for Best British Newcomer, presented by Saoirse Ronan, went to screenwriter Jonathan Asser, for his uncompromising  debut feature Starred Up whose title refers to the practice of placing violent young offenders prematurely in adult prison. 

The Best British Newcomer jury was comprised BAFTA-nominated director Tom Kingsley, acclaimed actor Cillian Murphy, Oscar-nominated Saoirse Ronan,  BAFTA-winning actress Gina McKee and actress Joanne Froggatt currently appearing in the highly successful Downton Abbey.

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