Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” was the big winner at the San Diego International Film Festival, winning both the best Gala Film (jury award) and the Audience Choice Gala Award. Eddie Vedder-starring documentary “Matter of Time,” which blends concert performances with an intimate look at the fight to cure a rare childhood disease, earned the Artistic Director’s Award.
“Hamnet,” adapted by Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as Agnes and William Shakespeare in a drama that captures the grief and enduring love that inspired one of literature’s greatest works.
Other winners at the fest, which ran from Oct. 15-19, includes:
Best Feature: “Aontas,” Ireland
Artistic Director’s Award: “Matter of Time”
Best Documentary: “Standout: The Ben Kjar Story”
Best International Feature: “Hello Mother,” Mongolia
Best Ensemble: “Fantasy Life”
Best Comedy: “For Worse”
Best Women Film Series: “The Fisherman,” Ghana
Best Shorts Track: “Charmingly Short”
Best Short Documentary: “The Opening Address”
Best Short Narrative: “Sally, Get the Potatoes”
Best International Short Film: “Kong Kong”
Best Animation: “Forevergreen”
Best Student Film: “Echoes of the Wild”
Audience Choice Feature: “Obraz,” Montenegro. Film is also repping Montenegro in the international feature film Oscar race.
Audience Choice Documentary: “Standout: Ben Kjar” and “A Quiet Love”
Audience Choice Short: “Rise”
“We’re so proud to honor such a diverse and exciting group of filmmakers,” said Tonya Mantooth, CEO & artistic director, San Diego International Film Festival, in a statement. “From powerhouse performances to emerging new voices, this year’s lineup reminded us of the power of cinema to move and unite us.”