Nomadland directed by Chloé Zhao was voted the best film of the year 2021 by the members of the International Federation of Film Critics, FIPRESCI, and will receive the FIPRESCI Grand Prix 2021 award at the 69th San Sebastian Festival.

The film stars Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May and Charlene Swankie.

Following the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada, Fern (Frances McDormand) packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. The film features real nomads Linda May, Swankie and Bob Wells as Fern’s mentors and comrades in her exploration through the vast landscape of the American West.

The FIPRESCI Grand Prix is the latest recognition received by Nomadland (Perlak, 2020) which, after winning the Golden Lion at Venice in 2020, has gone on to reap an endless list of awards particularly including the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture in the drama category and Best Director, the BAFTAs for Best Film, Director, Cinematography and Leading Actress and the Academy Awards for Best Film, Best Director and Best Leading Actress.

The other four finalists were Druk / Another Round, by Thomas Vinterberg, winner of the Silver Shell for Best Actor for all members of its starring quartet in San Sebastian, Best European Film Award and Academy Award for Best International Feature, among many other accolades; Quo Vadis, Aida?, by Jasmila Zbanic, a competitor at the last Venice Festival and Academy Award nominee; Ras vkhedavt rodesac cas vukurebt? / What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?, by Alexandre Koberidze, which competed at the last Berlin Festival, where it won the Fipresci Prize, and Babardeală cu bucluc sau porno balamuc / Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, by Radu Jude, Golden Bear at Berlin Festival in 2021.