Tina Mabry’s Mississipi Damned took the Gold Huge for best festure as the 45th Chicago Film Festival, which closes on October 22.

The director also scooped a Gold Plaque for best screenplay while Jossie Harris Thacker also won a Gold Plaque for best supporting actress her role in the film, which is centred on a struggling black community.

Andrea Arnold’s Cannes winner Fish Tank, a gritty drama set in a British housing estate, won the Silver Hugo for Special Jury Award, while Michael Fassbender, who stars in the film, picked up the Gold Plaque for best supporting actor.

The Silver Hugo for best director went to Marco Bellocchio for Vincere, the story of Mussolini’s secret lover and son. The film also snapped up the awards for best actress (Giovanna Mezzoigiorno), best actor (Filippo Timi) and best cinematography.

Berlinale silver-medallist Gigante, from Uruguaian director Adrian Biniez, won the new Directors Competition, and the documentary section Gold Hugo prize went to Cooking History by Peter Kerekes.

Martin Landau was honoured with a Lifetime Achievemnt awards, while Uma Thurman, Willem Dafoe and Patrcie Chereau received Career Achievement awards.