'Idiots and Angels' tops Fantasporto

Bill Plympton film nabs Grand Prize at festival

By MARTIN DALE

LISBON -- The 29th Fantasporto Oporto Film Festival, Portugal's biggest fest, wrapped Sunday with Bill Plympton's animation feature "Idiots and Angels" taking the Grand Prize and screenplay award in the fantasy section.

British pic "Eden Lake" nabbed director honors for James Watkins and best actor for Jack O'Connell.

South Korean Yim Pil-sung's horror-fantasy "Hansel and Gretel" won the special jury prize and best film in the Orient Express sidebar.

In the Director's Week section, Belgium helmer Christophe Van Rompaey earned the film laurel for his Cannes-player comedy, "Moscow, Belgium."

Special jury prize went to Wim Wenders for "Palermo Shooting," and Norway's Bent Hamer won director honors for retirement drama "O'Horten."

Lifetime achievement awards and retrospectives honored Wenders, Paul Schrader and Portuguese director Jose Fonseca e Costa, all of whom attended.

In a new departure, Fantasporto organized a showcase of films from neighboring Galicia to strengthen regional ties.

Fest saw a 25% increase in attendance to some 50,000 this year.

Fantasporto's 30th edition will be held Feb. 26-March 6, 2010.