I mentioned recently that the London Film Festival is upping its profile by adding a couple of new awards to its roster, including a crowning Best Film prize. This, I felt, was a positive development for a festival that becomes a richer, more rewarding cinematic showcase by the year. However, I must admit to being disappointed by the conservative approach they’ve taken to their new premier prize.
Festival director Sandra Hebron yesterday unveiled a shortlist of nine contenders for the inaugural Best Film award, and a mostly familiar bunch of titles it is:
“Balibo” (Robert Connolly)
“Bright Star” (Jane Campion)
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (Wes Anderson)
“Micmacs” (Jean-Pierre Jeunet)
“Nowhere Boy” (Sam Taylor-Wood)
“A Prophet” (Jacques Audiard)
“The Road” (John Hillcoat)
“A Serious Man” (Joel and Ethan Coen)
“The White Ribbon” (Michael Haneke)