Mike Leigh shines at San Sebastian Film Festival

British filmmaker Mike Leigh won the top prize Saturday at the San Sebastian film festival for his latest social drama "Tender Loving Care", expected to be the last by the 83-year-old who is suffering from an illness. The film, about social workers supporting vulnerable people, won the Golden Shell for best film at the festival in the northern Spanish city. "I'm so sorry I can't be with you. What a great honour it is," Leigh said in a video acceptance speech. "Thank you and love to everybody." Leigh had previously said he was suffering from a medical condition affecting his muscles and that it would probably be his "last film". He won top prize at the Cannes film festival in 1996 for "Secrets and Lies" and at Venice in 2004 for "Vera Drake". "Tender Loving Care" also jointly won the best screenplay prize at the Spanish festival, while its actress Kate O'Flynn shared the Silver Shell for best performance. Swedish filmmaker Amanda Kernell won the best director award for "Brace Your Heart". The 74th edition marked the introduction of a new official award for the Best Original Music among main competition entries, presented in tandem with SGAE. The opening gala on 18 September was hosted by Fariba Sheikhan and Mariona Terés, and Orlando Bloom gifted Werner Herzog the Donostia Award. On 19 September, Ernest Urtasun presented the National Film Prize to Carmen Machi at Tabakalera. Likewise, J.A. Bayona presented Naomi Watts another Donostia Award. The ceremony was rounded up with the screening of Watts-led The Housewife. On 24 September, the festival unveiled Ink as the surprise film, with screenings programmed for 25 and 26 September. The closing gala was hosted by Loreto Mauleón and Fernando Guallar.