Thewlis 'thrilled' by Howard Marks movie award

Actor David Thewlis said tonight it was a “thrill” to win an award for his role in the Howard Marks biopic 'Mr Nice'.

Thewlis plays Jim McCann, the cohort of the ex-drug baron portrayed by Rhys Ifans in the forthcoming film.

A jury at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) described his performance as “electrifying”.

'Mr Nice' is based on Welshman Marks’ autobiography, which he penned following a seven-year jail term in the US for drug smuggling.

The film directed by Bernard Rose had its European premiere at the festival earlier this week.

Thewlis is well known for his role as Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter movie series.

Accepting the award for Best Performance in a British Feature Film, he said: “This is a thrill and totally unexpected, and made all the more special by being honoured by one of my favourite cities in the world.”

Patrick Stewart headed the jury which also included director Mike Hodges and actress Britt Ekland.

The awards ceremony was held in the Scots capital on the penultimate day of the festival, now in its 64th year.

'Skeletons' directed by Nick Whitfield and starring Jason Issacs took Best New British Feature Film, with the judges praising its “original vision and dark humour”.

Best International Feature went to 'The Dry Land' directed by Ryan Piers Williams and starring Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera.

Gareth Edwards took the New Directors award for 'Monsters' and Best Feature Documentary Award went to 'The Oath' by Laura Poitras.

The festival’s closing night gala features the world premiere of 'Third Star', a British film by newcomer Hattie Dalton.

EIFF artistic director Hannah McGill said: “I warmly congratulate all of our award-winners, as well as the generous supporters of those awards, and I thank the wonderful people on our juries for their enthusiasm and dedication.

“We have had a tremendous festival experience this year, and it’s a particular pleasure to close with the world premiere of a film as beautiful, idiosyncratic and moving as 'Third Star'.”