BFI London Film Festival

The Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival announced its winners at the high profile awards ceremony held at London's Inner Temple this evening.  Hosted by journalist and broadcaster, Paul Gambaccini, the six awards were presented by some of the most respected figures in the film world.

BEST FILM

In recognition of original, intelligent and distinctive filmmaking, the new award for Best Film was judged by an international jury chaired by Anjelica Huston and fellow jurors John Akomfrah, Jarvis Cocker, Mathieu Kassovitz, Charlotte Rampling and Iain Softley.  The Star of London for Best Film was awarded to Jacques Audiard's A PROPHET and was presented by Anjelica Huston..

On behalf of the jury Anjelica Huston (Chair) said:

 "A masterpiece: UN PROPHETE has the ambition, purity of vision and clarity of purpose to make it an instant classic.  With seamless and imaginative story-telling, superb performances and universal themes, Jacques Audiard has made a perfect film."

The jury also gave a special mention to John Hillcoat's THE ROAD, praising the film's breathtaking vision, extraordinary performances and profound political statement.

BEST BRITISH NEWCOMER

Presented for the first time, the award for Best British Newcomer celebrates new and emerging film talent, rewarding the achievements of a new writer, producer or director who has demonstrated real creative flair and imagination with their first feature. Dominic Cooper and Jodie Whittaker presented the Best British Newcomer Star of London to Jack Thorne, screenwriter of the film THE SCOUTING BOOK FOR BOYS. The jury said:

"Jack Thorne is a poetic writer with an end-of-the-world imagination and a real gift for story-telling.  Thorne's substantial authorship is revealed in the unique voices of the film's characters and the rich, soulful and playful layering of the story." The jury also gave a special mention to J Blakeson, the writer and director of THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED, commending his accomplished, original and ambitious filmmaking. 

SUTHERLAND AWARD

The longstanding Sutherland Award is presented to the maker of the most original and imaginative first feature screening in the Festival.  This year, Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani took the award for their film AJAMI, which was presented by Alfonso Cuarón. Jurors included Paul Greengrass, Kerry Fox and David Parfitt. The jury said "A bold and original piece of filmmaking, AJAMI tells an important story in a thoroughly engrossing and cinematic way.  A fantastic achievement, Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani have made a film with a heart and a vision that speaks for a common humanity."

The inaugural Star of London awards were commissioned especially for the Festival and designed by leading sculptor Almuth Tebbenhoff.   

Guests at this evening's festivities included Best Film jurors John Akomfrah, Jarvis Cocker and Iain Softley; Sutherland Trophy jurors Mark Cosgrove, and Gillian Wearing; Best British Newcomer judges Lenny Crooks, Christine Langan, Tessa Ross and Tanya Seghatchian; and Times BFI London Film Festival Grierson Award jurors Ellen Fleming and Christopher Hird. Other guests included Josh Berger, Hugh Bonneville, Peter Buckingham, Greg Dyke, John Fletcher, Lizzie Francke, Steve Jenkins, Cameron McCracken, David Morrissey, Lynda Myles, Stephen Poliakoff, Ken Russell, Sam Taylor-Wood, Ridley Scott, Stewart Till and John Woodward.

• Yoav Shamir poses next to Nick Broomfield with his Grierson award for best documentaryGetty Images
• Yoav Shamir receives the Grierson award for best documentaryGetty Images
• Yaron Shani, Tahar Rahim, John Hurt, Jack Thorne, Yoav Shami and Souleymane CisséGetty Images
• Yaron Shani poses with the Sutherland award for the film Ajami and Alfonso CuaronGetty Images
• Tahar Rahim receives the Best Film award for Jacques Audiard's A ProphetGetty Images
• John Hurt receives his BFI Fellowship from Jeremy Thomas and Michael Caton JonesGetty Images
• Stephen PoliakoffGetty Images
• Tom HarperGetty Images
• Souleymane Cissé receives his BFI FellowshipGetty Images