A FILM shot in Keighley and Haworth has won an international directing award at a top festival.

God's Own Country beat 11 other movies from across the world to pick up the accolade at the Sundance Film Festival.

The film's director, Francis Lee, who was brought up in West Yorkshire, was chosen by the judging panel to receive the World Cinematic Directing Award: Dramatic Prize.

God's Own Country tells the story of a disillusioned young sheep farmer's love affair with a Romanian migrant worker who comes to the farm for lambing season.

The emotional final scene of the movie was shot at Keighley Bus Station in April last year.

The crew spent a day in the station concourse, using real-life passengers as a backdrop.

A rented coach was brought to the site for shots of the hero – Yorkshire farmer’s son Johnny – deciding whether to climb on board.

Cinematographer Josh Richards said the crew spent a hectic few weeks filming in Haworth and Keighley and other parts of Yorkshire, including Otley.

The movie stars rising talent Josh O’Connor, who appeared in Disney’s live-action Cinderella, alongside Romanian actor Alec Secareanu and film veterans Gemma Jones and Ian Hart.

David Wilson, director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, said the award was "fantastic news" for filmmaking in Yorkshire.

He said: "I only had a limited input, giving the team a steer on highways restrictions and what to do and not to.

"Francis Lee and his team were so professional which is probably why the film has done so well.

"It's fantastic this has happened for a film made in the district with themes of Yorkshire.

"Once the festival has died down it would be great to see a local screening of the film, there were so many local people involved as extras, and it's always nice to see yourself on film, even if it's just the back of your head!"

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