Elle Edwards’ Dad Says Film Success Is Bittersweet

A documentary film chronicling a father’s walk across the UK following his daughter’s murder has won Best Documentary at the 2026 Beverly Hills Film Festival, with the filmmaker describing the achievement as “bittersweet.”

The film, titled The Two of Us, follows Tim Edwards as he walked the length of the United Kingdom in the aftermath of his daughter Elle Edwards’ death. Elle, a 26-year-old beautician, was fatally shot outside a pub in Wallasey Village on Merseyside on Christmas Eve in 2022 while an innocent bystander in a gang-related incident.

Edwards undertook the walk as part of his personal journey to cope with the trauma of losing his daughter. He was joined on the journey by Liverpool comedian John May and their experience was filmed and later edited into the documentary that went on to receive the festival award.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Kevin Duala after the win, Edwards said the recognition felt “bittersweet” because it came as a direct result of his daughter’s death. “I’d swap all this to have Elle back here – if it hadn’t have happened, none of this would have happened, so it’s a bittersweet pill,” he stated.

Despite the emotional complexity of the achievement, Edwards noted that the film’s success has had a positive impact beyond his personal story. He shared that “lots of people have reached out because of the film,” particularly others experiencing grief who found resonance in the documentary.

Edwards and May attended the festival in Hollywood together. Reflecting on the moment of winning, Edwards recalled: “On the night we genuinely thought we weren’t likely to win, the talent in that room was unbelievable – we were thinking we’ve got no chance.” May added that he had “already swanned off to the bar to find a distributor” when the award was announced.

The filmmaker also addressed concerns about cultural translation, saying he had worried American audiences might not connect with the film’s British sensibility or regional accents. However, he reported that the response was overwhelmingly positive: “What was great was the way it resonated with an American audience – when we left the screening the feedback was amazing.”

The Beverly Hills Film Festival award marks a significant recognition for The Two of Us, highlighting its impact as a work that transforms personal tragedy into a story of healing and connection for others navigating loss.