The coming-out drama film Sweetheart directed by Marley Morrison was voted the Audience Award winner of the 2021 Glasgow Film Festival. Sweetheart is a sharply observed coming-of-age story that charts the relationship between two young women, during a summer holiday at a caravan park in Dorset. The Audience Award is the only award given by GFF and is voted for by the audience.

Marley Morrison, writer/director of Glasgow Film Festival 2021 Award winner, Sweetheart, said: “Wow! This is totally unexpected. It’s been an emotional and wild journey making this film and to get this recognition from such an amazing festival, I’m hugely grateful. Thank you to BFI, BBC films, and Film London for believing in the project. This award belongs to all the cast and crew who worked so hard to make the film what it is. I want to thank Allison and Allan at Glasgow Film Festival for championing the film, and for all your support of debut filmmakers, and to thank the GFF audience for watching the film and showing it so much love. This means so much to all of us, thank you!”

Michelle Antoniades, producer of Glasgow Film Festival 2021 Award winner, Sweetheart, said: “We’re thrilled that Sweetheart has received the Audience Award. Thank you to the GFF audience for opening their arms to this film, which was made on a micro budget and a lot of love. We’re so grateful to everyone who was involved in the making of the film, especially our dedicated cast and crew, and a massive thank you to the teams at Film London and Glasgow Film Festival for your continued support of new UK filmmakers.”