Director Nikita Mikhalkov honoured at Locarno

Russian film director Nikita Mikhalkov has won the Boccalino Independent Critics’ Award at the 68th International Film Festival in Locarno, Switzerland.

In a letter to Mr Mikhalkov, the festival organisers informed the filmmaker that a panel of independent film critics had passed a unanimous decision to confer on him the Boccalino special award for his contribution to the international film industry.

The award is due to be presented today, but Mr Mikhalkov will not be at the festival to collect it in person.

“Unfortunately, Mikhalkov will be unable to receive his award personally at the festival award ceremony to be held on 14 August, a day before the festival officially closes,” read a statement from the filmmaker’s press service.

Mr Mikhalkov was not the only renowned Russian director to be honoured at the festival. Marlen Khutsiev, best known for his films I am 20 (1965) and July Rain (1966), was awarded a Leopard of Honour award, which is given for lifetime achievement.