Revisiting the Soviet Union of the early 1970s through footage captured by Italian cameramen, the film impressed the jury with its evocative imagery and emotional depth, offering audiences a visual perspective on life in the country before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In its assessment, the jury described the production as “richly evocative and emotionally engaging on all levels”, praising its ability to recreate a significant historical period through compelling archival images.
The competition jury was chaired by filmmaker Sam Pollard, whose credits include MLK/FBI and Citizen Ashe. He was joined by Mariano Llinás, director of Life of Jorge Luis Borges, and Julie La Bassiere, chief strategy officer at DDA.
The announcement of the winners marked a major highlight of this year’s festival, which celebrates achievements across feature filmmaking, documentaries and short films.
Thai Debut Wins First Feature Competition
In the first feature competition, Thailand’s Oscar submission, 9 Temples to Heaven, directed by Sompot Chidgasornpongse, received the Sutherland Award.
The film, the director’s first fiction feature, explores themes of faith, family relationships and the transition from life to death, earning recognition for its contribution to contemporary Southeast Asian cinema.
The jury, led by actor Amir El-Masry, known for Giant and Limbo, included Moonglow producer Alemberg Ang and sales, distribution and awards strategist Rosa Bosch.
Describing the winning film as an impressive debut, the jury said it was “an accomplished first feature paving his own path in the well-established tradition of filmmaking in the Southeast Asian region”.
Bertil Nilsson’s Masc received a special mention in the same category. The debut follows Robin, a character navigating temporary employment and uncertain relationships while searching for a sense of belonging.
The jury praised Nilsson as a promising British filmmaking talent, highlighting the film’s unconventional concept and humorous script.
‘Concrete Land’ Takes Documentary Honour
Asmahan Bkerat’s directorial debut, Concrete Land, won the Grierson Award for documentary, drawing attention to the experiences of a multigenerational mixed-race family in Jordan as they confront displacement, hostility and threats to their cultural identity.
The film explores the family’s determination to preserve its traditions and sense of belonging amid challenging social circumstances.
The documentary jury was chaired by Sandhya Suri, director of Santosh, alongside Kate Fitzpatrick, senior programmer at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and BAFTA- and Emmy-winning producer Andee Ryder.
Explaining its decision, the jury said: “In a noisy and often polemical world it was refreshing, humbling and deeply relevant to see the quiet resilience and dignity of this family in the face of the erasure of their culture and traditions.”
Theo Rollason’s Queer Edward II received a special mention in the documentary section. Constructed entirely from archival material, the film examines the making of Derek Jarman’s Edward II, placing the production within the context of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation introduced in Britain during the 1980s.
The jury commended the film for presenting a portrait of Jarman as both an artist and an activist, connecting his creative work with his wider political engagement.
‘Aman’ Wins Short Film Award
Rahul Roye’s Aman claimed the Short Film Award with a story centred on a trans man who discovers he is pregnant on the eve of his gender-affirming surgery.
The unexpected development forces the central character to reconsider his understanding of masculinity, identity and fatherhood, giving the film an intimate and emotionally complex narrative.
The shorts jury was chaired by writer-producer Helen Simmons, whose credits include 100 Nights of Hero. Comedian Leo Reich and script editor Jack Casey also served on the panel.
The jury praised the film’s visual style and storytelling, saying: “We were struck by the film’s painterly cinematography, and expansive and assured storytelling, which guided us through the world with care.”
Roye’s award-winning film is available to watch free on BFI Player until October 25.
Elizabeth Hobbs’ Daughters of the Late Colonel received a special mention for its inventive visual approach. The film follows two middle-aged sisters struggling to find direction after the death of their domineering father.
Audience Awards Still to Be Decided
While the festival’s principal competition awards have been announced, the audience-voted prizes remain open, with voting for best feature film and best British discovery scheduled to close on October 21. The winners will be announced subsequently.
At last year’s festival, Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet won the audience award for best feature film, while Yemi Bamiro’s Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story took the British discovery prize.
This year’s results showcase the diversity of filmmaking recognised at the London festival, spanning historical retrospection, emerging international voices, documentary storytelling and explorations of identity and social change.