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| The Disaster Artist is heading to won San Sebastian's Golden Shell Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival |
The star, who was in town to receive the accolade, directs and stars in the film, alongside his brother Dave Franco and Seth Rogen, which tells the story of the making of cult movie The Room and its enigmatic star Tommy Wiseau. It's a satire with a soft touch, which treats Wiseau warmly despite his failings.
Accepting the award, Franco said: “It’s a very simple film about a crazy man but he had big dreams and it’s better than not having dreams. I hope that in these crazy times this brings a little light and inspiration.”
The film also took home the Feroz Zinemaldia Prize, awarded by Spanish critics. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri also won over audiences again, picking up the audience vote for Best Film.
For the first time in the festival's history, the directing Silver Shell was won by a woman - going to Anahí Bernerí for Alanis, which tells the story of a young mum who becomes a sex worker in a bid to support her family.
The film garnered a second Silver Shell for its star Sofía Gala, while Bogdan Dumitrache won the male Silver Shell for his role in Romanian drama Pororoca, in which he plays the father of a girl who goes missing.
Historical drama Giant - about two brothers, one of whom has gigantism - picked up both the Basque Cinema and Special Jury Prizes. Xavier Legrand's tense drama Custody also continued its winning streak after Venice, garnering the TVE Another Look and audience award for Best European Film. The FIPRESCI critics prize was given to Life And Nothing More, which dramatises the struggles of a single mum and her son.
The full list of awards is below:
Golden Shell - The Disaster Artist, (James Franco, US)
Silver Shell, Director - Anahí Berneri (Alanis, Argentina)
Silver Shell, Best Actress - Sofía Gala Castiglione (Alanis, Argentina)
Silver Shell, Best Actor - Bogdan Dumitrache (Pororoca, Romania, France)
Special Jury Prize - Giant, Aitor Arregi , Jon Garaño, Spain
Cinematography - Florian Ballhaus (The Captain, Germany, Poland, France)
Screenplay - Diego Lerman, Maria Meira (A Sort of Family, Argentina, Brazil, Poland, France)
Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Award - Braguino, Clément Cogitore, France
Horizontes Award - Los Perros, Marcela Said, Chile, France
New Director's Award - The Sower, Marine Francen, France
Ezae Youth Award - Matar a Jesús, Laura Mora, Colombia, Argentina
FIPRESCI Award - Life And Nothing More, Antonio Méndez Esparza, Spain, US
Films in Progress - Rust, Aly Muritiba, Brazil
Glocal In Progress - Dantza, Telmo Esnal, Spain
Spanish Co-operation Award - Alanis, Anahí Berneri, Argentina
TVE Another Look Award - Custody, Xavier Legrand, France
Basque Film Award - Giant, Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño, Spain
Audience Award for European Film - Custody, Xavier Legrand, France
Audience Award Best Picture - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Martin McDonagh, UK
