Greek film "Little England" wins top prize at Shanghai Fest

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Gong Li-led jury of 17th Shanghai Film Festival awarded Greek film "Little England" the top prize and two other nods. Winning the coveted Golden Goblet Best Film prize, the period drama also won through its lead star Pinelopi Tsilika and director Pantelis Voulgaris, AceShowbiz said.

Based on Ioanna Karistiani's 1997 bestseller novel "The Jasmine Isle", "Little England" is a family saga spanning two decades in the lives of two sisters, united and divided by a terrible secret - their love for the same man. "The feelings portrayed in the film - love, separation, loneliness - are timeless. All these emotions have always been a part of the world of cinema," Voulgaris said.

The awards were handed out during a red carpet ceremony on Sunday, June 22 at the Shanghai Grand Theater. The jury also awarded Jury Prize to "The Uncle Victory" which became controversial after its lead actor Huang Haibo was convicted for having sex with prostitute. The Chinese film was not shown to the public but was privately screened for the jury.

Haibo was tipped to be a favorite to win the best acting prize but it eventually went to Thailand actor Vithaya Pansringarm from "The Last Executioner".