 |
| Landmarks was named Best Feature at LFF Photo: Courtesy of The Match Factory |
Lucrecia Martel's documentary Landmarks has taken home the Best Film Award at this year's BFI London Film Festival. The film, which charts the death and legacy of Indigenous activist Javier Chocobar, was selected by the main jury, presided over by British film producer Elizabeth Karlsen.
The jury said: "With deep empathy and extraordinary journalistic and cinematic rigor, the director Lucrecia Martel dives deep into the events surrounding the 2009 murder of the Chuschagasta leader Javier Chocobar, in Argentina’s Tucumán Province. In foregrounding present-day voices and neglected histories, Martel emerges with a portrait of – and for – an Indigenous community, and grants them a measure of the justice the courts have long denied them. Within a remarkably strong competition, our jury is proud to honor this singular achievement."
The winner of the Sutherland Award for best first feature was Kenyan filmmaker Vincho Mchogu, who charts a woman's fight to keep her ancestral land in One Woman One Bra.
The jury, headed by filmmaker Kibwe Tavares, said: “Her film uses humour to shattering effect. Vincho also elicited fantastic performances from her entire cast, complemented by stunning cinematography throughout. The piece is at once funny, life-affirming, and deeply moving; its emotional journey stayed with us and will continue to do so.”
The Grierson Award for best documentary went to David Bingong's personal documentary The Travelers, charting the journey of a group of Cameroonian migrants to Europe.
The Short Film Award went to Said Zagha for Coyotes centring on a Palestinan doctor whose commute home is interrupted by Israeli soldiers. It is available to watch for free on BFI Player until October 26.
The Audience Award vote closes on Monday 20 October.
