The Times BFI Grierson Award
- October 13, 2006
'Thin' is the directorial debut by acclaimed photographer and author Lauren Greenfield and is this year’s winner of The Times BFI London Film Festival Grierson Award. The award for director of the best feature-length documentary to be screened at the Festival will be presented at the film’s UK premiere on Thursday October 26 at 9pm, in NFT 1, National Film Theatre.
Thin is a brilliant and original portrayal of the treatment of four women struggling to overcome eating disorders. Sandra Hebron, Artistic Director of the festival, commented: “This is a powerful and important film, allowing us to witness at close hand the complexities of this persistent and damaging illness.” The jury was highly impressed that this was the director’s first feature-length film. Lauren Greenfield has previously received critical acclaim for her photography, exhibitions and books. 'Fast Forward' is a powerful study of Los Angeles youth culture, while 'Girl Culture' analyses how young women are obsessed with their need to present an idea of perfection by their appearance. Thin, a documentary shot in a classic vérité style, furthers this examination of issues surrounding female body image.
The Times BFI London Film Festival Grierson Award given by the Grierson Trust, commemorates the pioneering Scottish documentary maker John Grierson (1898–1972), famous for 'Drifters' and 'Night Mail' and the man widely regarded as the father of the British documentary. The Grierson Trust through its own annual awards – the British Documentary Awards – has a long-standing tradition of recognising outstanding films that demonstrate integrity, originality and technical excellence, and social or cultural significance.
The Times BFI London Film Festival Grierson Award was judged this year by Grierson Trustees Emma Hindley and Charlotte Moore, and from The Times BFI London Film Festival, Artistic Director Sandra Hebron and Programmer Michael Hayden. The jury was chaired by Angus Macqueen, Head of Documentary at Channel 4.
(DS/SP)