Sergei Loznitsa’s ‘Imperium’ Wins Best Film at BFI London Film Festival

Sergei Loznitsa’s *Imperium* won best film at the 70th BFI London Film Festival, which announced its competition prizes as it closed on Sunday. The film revisits the Soviet Union in the early 1970s using footage shot by Italian cameramen; the jury praised its evocative, emotionally engaging view of life before the Soviet Union broke apart.

Other top awards went to *9 Temples to Heaven*, *Concrete Land* and *Aman*. Sompot Chidgasornpongse’s *9 Temples to Heaven*, Thailand’s Oscar submission and his first fiction feature, won the Sutherland Award; Asmahan Bkerat’s documentary *Concrete Land* received the Grierson Award. Rahul Roye’s short *Aman* won the Short Film Award, while *Masc*, *Queer Edward II* and *Daughters of the Late Colonel* received special mentions. Audience voting for best feature and best British discovery remains open until 21 October, with winners to be announced later.