Mike Leigh’s ‘Tender Loving Care’ Wins San Sebastián

Mike Leigh’s “Tender Loving Care” closed the San Sebastián International Film Festival with its biggest prize, winning the Golden Shell for best film and adding two more honors in a strong final-night showing.

The British dramatic comedy also earned Leigh the jury prize for best screenplay. Kate O’Flynn shared the Silver Shell for best leading performance with Asta Kamma August, who was recognized for “Growth of the Soil.” The three awards made Leigh’s film the most prominent winner at the festival’s 74th edition.

Leigh was not in Spain for the ceremony because he was in New York for the film’s U.S. premiere. According to Deadline, he sent a video message thanking the festival for the recognition. The filmmaker has described the project as a possible final feature, citing a physical medical condition that makes another production uncertain.

A broad slate of winners

The awards were spread across an international group of films and filmmakers. Amanda Kernell won the Silver Shell for best director for “Brace Your Heart,” while Javier Cámara received the supporting-performance prize for “5 More Minutes.” “Growth of the Soil” also won the jury prize for Oskar Dahlsbakken’s cinematography.

Ah Biao’s “Border” received the Special Jury Prize. The City of Donostia/San Sebastián Audience Award went to “La Bola Negra,” directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. Those results gave the closing ceremony a mix of established auteurs, emerging voices and audience favorites rather than concentrating every major honor around one title.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that Ira Sachs presided over the jury, joined by Alice Braga, Genki Kawamura, Patricia López Arnaiz, Bill Skarsgård, Mike Goodridge and Catherine Paillé. The festival ran from September 18 through September 26 and marked José Luis Rebordinos’s final edition as director. Maialen Beloki is set to take over for the 75th edition, becoming the event’s first woman director.

For “Tender Loving Care,” the Golden Shell gives the film a substantial boost as it moves beyond the festival circuit. It also adds a late-career milestone for Leigh, whose new work arrived in San Sebastián carrying the possibility that it could be his final feature.