45 Years Takes Top Festival Award
Andrew Haigh's 45 Years has been named best British film at the 69th Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Starring Sir Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years received its UK premiere at the festival and has been selected for this year's Michael Powell Award.
English director Haigh said it was a fantastic'' feeling to win the accolade for his feature, which sees a middle-class couple question their relationship as they prepare to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
The film was nominated for the Golden Bear at this year's Berlin Film Festival and won awards for both Rampling and Sir Tom. It will be released in the UK on August 28.
Haigh, who was presented with the award by actress Jane Seymour, said: This is a real honour and made even more special when you consider the list of British films that have won before.
All you can hope for when you make a film is that it resonates with people, and that is why receiving an award such as this feels so fantastic.''
The film was selected by a jury chaired by LA Times film critic Kenneth Turan with actors Karen Gillan and Ian Hart.