British Film Institute announces Sutherland Trophy shortlist

The shortlist for the Sutherland Trophy, a prize awarded to the director of the most original and imaginative first feature film screened at The Times bfi London Film Festival, has been announced.
‘Innocence’, a haunting story of a girls' school from French director Lucile Hadsihalilovic; ‘Tarnation’, a psychedelic memoir from American director Jonathan Caouette; and ‘Thirst’, an account of isolation and struggle by Palestinian director Tawfik Abu Wael, are all strong contenders for the award.
The award is judged each year by an invited jury of people with a knowledge of and passion for cinema. This year's jury comprises Damon Wise (Empire); Ben Roberts (Universal Pictures International); Maeva Gatineau (Miramax Films); Natascha Wharton (Working Title); Helen Hawkins (Sunday Times); artist Jeremy Deller; writer Louise Welsh and from The Times bfi London Film Festival Artistic Director Sandra Hebron and Programmer Michael Hayden.
A showcase of new talent, the Sutherland Trophy was first presented in 1958 on behalf of the bfi by the Duke of Sutherland and has been awarded to world-class directors such as Antonioni, Bertolucci, Fassbinder, Godard and Greenaway. Last year the award was presented to Siddiq Barmak for ‘Osama’, the first feature from post-Taliban Afghanistan.
The Trophy will be presented at the Festival's closing night gala on November 4.
(GB)