‘Hamnet’ Wins Big at the San Diego Film Festival While Eddie Vedder Doc ‘Matter of Time’ Earns Kudos

Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” was the big winner at the San Diego International Film Festival, winning both the best Gala Film (jury award) and the Audience Choice Gala Award. Eddie Vedder-starring documentary “Matter of Time,” which blends concert performances with an intimate look at the fight to cure a rare childhood disease, earned the Artistic Director’s Award.

“Hamnet,” adapted by Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as Agnes and William Shakespeare in a drama that captures the grief and enduring love that inspired one of literature’s greatest works.

Other winners at the fest, which ran from Oct. 15-19, includes:

Best Feature: “Aontas,” Ireland

Artistic Director’s Award: “Matter of Time”

Best Documentary: “Standout: The Ben Kjar Story”

Best International Feature: “Hello Mother,” Mongolia

Best Ensemble: “Fantasy Life”

Best Comedy: “For Worse”

Best Women Film Series: “The Fisherman,” Ghana

Best Shorts Track: “Charmingly Short”

Best Short Documentary: “The Opening Address”

Best Short Narrative: “Sally, Get the Potatoes”

Best International Short Film: “Kong Kong”

Best Animation: “Forevergreen”

Best Student Film: “Echoes of the Wild”

Audience Choice Feature: “Obraz,” Montenegro. Film is also repping Montenegro in the international feature film Oscar race.

Audience Choice Documentary: “Standout: Ben Kjar” and “A Quiet Love”

Audience Choice Short: “Rise”

“We’re so proud to honor such a diverse and exciting group of filmmakers,” said Tonya Mantooth, CEO & artistic director, San Diego International Film Festival, in a statement. “From powerhouse performances to emerging new voices, this year’s lineup reminded us of the power of cinema to move and unite us.”