Mike Leigh's new film "Tender Loving Care", which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, is being tipped as a strong Oscar contender for the veteran British director, who has been nominated seven times without ever winning. At 83 and living with the muscle-wasting condition myositis, Leigh has said this is likely to be his final film, lending the release added significance ahead of its December cinema opening.

The film, described as vintage Leigh in its wry, humane observation of everyday emotional struggles, follows a social worker (Kate O'Flynn) caring for her declining father while leaning on her best friend, played by Alice Bailey Johnson, with Marion Bailey also singled out for praise as the mother. Commentators argue Leigh's case for a first Oscar win rests on his substantial body of work, including a Palme d'Or and a Golden Lion, rather than sentiment about his age or health, with distributor Bleecker Street expected to weigh up how to split awards campaigning between its lead and supporting performers.