The animated documentary Waltz with Bashir from Israeli filmmaker Ari Folman was among he winners at the 11th annual British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs). The critically acclaimed doc was named Best Foreign Film during a ceremony held Sunday at Old Billingsgate Market in London.
Waltz with Bashir documents Folman’s quest to recover memories and discover the truth about an Israeli army mission he participated in during the first Lebanon War of the early 1980s. Long-forgotten images begin to resurface as the director interviews old friends and comrades around the world regarding the events. The film was co-produced by Bridgit Folman Films Gang and ITVS.
Folman’s previous efforts include the graduate film Comfortably Numb, the 1996 feature Saint Clara and the TV series Saturdays and Holidays, Chapter of the Week and In Therapy, the Israeli series that served as the model for HBO’s Gabriel Byrne vehicle in the U.S.
Bashir has been submitted as Israel’s Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film, and is also eligible for Best Animated Feature. The pic has already won the Audience Award at the Warsaw Int’l Film Festival and took top honors at the Israeli Film Academy Awards.
Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire was the big winner at the British Independent Film Awards, taking Best British Independent Film and securing Best Director for Boyle. Young actor Dev Patel was also named Most Promising Newcomer for his role in the film. To see a complete list of winners, go to www.bifa.org.uk/news/winners-announced-11th-british-independent-film-awards.
