The BFI London Film Festival came to a close last night and Chevalier was awarded Best Film.
Chevalier
We have been treated to films from all around the world at this year's festival as well as celebrating established and new acting, directing and writing talent.
Chevalier, The Witch, Sherpa, and An Old Dog's Diary were the toast of the festival as they picked up awards for Best Film, Best First Feature, Best Documentary and Best Short Film.
Chevalier marked the return of Athina Rachel Tsangari to the director's chair, in what was a festival that really did celebrate female filmmakers. Chevalier was the first film for Tsangari since Attenberg back in 2010 and it is great to see her back.
The movie scooped the Best Film prize, seeing off competition from the likes of Beasts of No Nation, Tangerine, 11 Minutes, and Son of Saul.
Pawel Pawlikowski, whose film Ida won the Best Film prize back in 2013 was president of the Official Competition jury this year and heaped praise on the film, saying:
"Chevalier is a study of male antagonism seen through the eyes of a brave and original filmmaker. With great formal rigour and irresistible wit, Athena Rachel Tsangari has managed to make a film that is both a hilarious comedy and a deeply disturbing statement on the condition of western humanity".
Actors Chiwetel Ejiofor. Kristen Scott Thomas, screenwriter Mabel Cheung, and producer Christine Vachon joined Pawlikowski on the jury.
The Witch is a movie that has already been whipping up a storm on the festival circuit and more awards came its way last night as it scooped the Best First Feature prize.
The Witch marks the feature film directorial debut of Robert Eggers - who also penned the film's screenplay - and is set to be one of the horror movies that cannot be missed when it is released next year.
Jennifer Peedom is another female director who was recognised last night as she was presented with the Grierson Award for Best Documentary for her work on Sherpa.
Shai Heredia and Shumona Goel were also triumphant as they won Best Short Film for the fantastic An Old Dog's Diary.
Cate Blanchett dazzled on the red carpet earlier this week at the premiere of her latest film Carol, for which she is tipped to pick up another Best Actress Oscar nomination. And she was also celebrated at the ceremony in London on Saturday as she received the BFI Fellowship.
The Fellowship was presented to Blanchett by her Lord of the Rings co-star Ian McKellen. Saturday evening was a busy one for Blanchett as she also walked the red carpet for a second time with Truth, which sees her team up with actor Robert Redford.
The 2015 BFI London Film Festival was brought to a triumphant close last night as Steve Jobs was the final gala screening. The movie marks the return of Danny Boyle to the director's chair and it will the third time that one of his movies has closed the festival; Steve Jobs follows in the footsteps of Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours.
Danny Boyle was on the red carpet in London last night and was joined at the premiere by stars Michael Fassbender - who takes on the role of Jobs - and Kate Winslet.
Tagged in London Film Festival