Crossword Genius

Nice ending to film with the best actors - could be a potential winner of something (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

finalist

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'film with the best actors could be a potential winner of something' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'nice ending' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'ending' could be 'final' and 'final' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for finalist that I've seen before include "One reaching last match" , "Competitor who reaches the last stage" , "No more rounds for me!" , "Participant in the last round of a competition" , "One at decisive stage" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).
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