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‘Holding the Man’ picks up top honour at Montreal’s image nation festival

Holding the Man. 

Neil Armfield’s Holding the Man has won the Best Feature Film Award at the image+nation 29 festival in Montreal.

In announcing the prize, the jury praised Armfield’s deft direction.

"The winner of this category is a masterful melodrama and time capsule of a devastating time in the LGBT history, that touches on a familiar theme with a lot of humour and honesty, and a frank courage rarely achieved in narrative film,” the jury said. 

“The performances by the leads Ryan Corr and Craig Stott as Timothy Congrave and John Caleo were outstanding, and the chemistry between these two characters was palpable."

Produced by Goalpost Pictures, Holding the Man is based on Timothy Conigrave’s memoir and stage play. 

It was adapted for the screen by writer Tommy Murphy and produced by Kylie du Fresne, with assistance from Screen Australia, Film Victoria and Screen NSW.

It also stars Anthony LaPaglia, Guy Pearce, Kerry Fox and Camilla Ah Kin.