As the Bristol studio behind 'Wallace & Gromit' and 'Shaun the Sheep' turns 50, employee-owned Aardman is betting that handmade animation, flexible partnerships and a Halloween-ready third Shaun feature can sustain its independence.

Jack Hudson co-stars in the modern-day Western thriller, which Edel ('The Baader Meinhof Complex,' 'Christiane F.') will direct.

The Palestinian actress, whose credits include 'Paradise Now,' 'The Visitor,' 'Succession' and 'Palestine 36,' will be honored at the 39th European Film Awards in Athens in January.

Other participants at the Sunday event in Los Angeles include 'Tangles' director Leah Nelson, 'Hexed' director Fawn Veerasunthorn, 'In Waves' director Phuong Mai Nguyen, 'Iron Boy' director Louis Clichy and 'Forgotten Island' director Joel Crawford.