Edinburgh Film Fest Winners Announced

Shane Meadows film wins top prize

‘Somers Town,’ by Shane Meadows, won the Michael Powell Award for new British film at the Edinburgh Film Festival, with James Marsh’s doc ‘Man on Wire’ picking up the audience award.


The fest’s move to June from its traditional August date was widely hailed as a success, with box office rising ahead of expectations and a big increase in the number of industry delegates.


The 62nd edition of the world’s longest continually running film festival closed over the weekend, with the international premiere of Disney/Pixar’s ‘Wall-E’ and the world premiere of British comedy ‘Faintheart,’ by first-timer Vito Rocco, on Saturday, followed by a “best of the fest” roundup on Sunday and the awards ceremony.


Robert Carlyle drew the nod for actor in a British film for his role in Kenny Glenaan’s ‘Summer,’ praised by the jury as “a flawless performance in a great, uncompromising film.”

 

The jury, chaired by Danny Huston, described ‘Somers Town,’ which started lifeas a short but expanded during production into a 70-minute feature, as “the freshest, most imaginative, maverick work.”

 

Werner Herzog’s ‘Encounters at the End of the World’ drew the documentary trophy, and Glasgow-born, U.S.-based helmer Marianna Palka won the Skillset New Directors Award for ‘Good Dick.’

 

Festival patron Sean Connery was on hand throughout the event, and co-patron Tilda Swinton jetted in from shooting in Milan. But after the festival’s glitzy start, the glamour quotient dropped sharply as the event reverted to its traditional focus on filmmakers rather than stars.