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| Evil Does Not Exist Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival |
Ryusuke Hamaguchi's Evil Does Not Exist was announced as the winner of the main competition at the BFI London Film Festival.
The latest film from the Drive My Car director centres on a camping development at a village. The jury, headed by Mexican filmmaker Amat Escalante, said: “Subtle, cinematic and underscored by fully realised performances, Hamaguchi’s assured drama supersedes the sum of its parts. It is both a lyrical portrait of family and community, and a nuanced consideration of the ethics of land development.
The Sutherland award for best first feature went to Mika Gustafson for Paradise Is Burning, which follows three sisters fending for themselves after being left home alone. The Grierson Award for best documentary was taken home by Bye Bye Tiberias, directed by Lina Soualem, which explores the filmmaker's relationship with her actor mum Hiam Abbas.
The Short Film Award was given to Simisolaoluwa Akande for The Archive: Queer Nigerians, which the jury described as "visually stunning and poetic". They also gave a special mention to Area Boy.
