Thiruvananthapuram, December, 15
The 12th International Film Festival of Kerala concluded on a high note yesterday, with the Argentinian film ‘XXY’ directed by Lucia Puenzo and the Iranian film ‘10+4’directed by Mania Akbari sharing the Suvarna Chakoram award for being the best film of the festival. Apart from all the movie makers and film critics, many other dignitaries were present to grace the occasion. The awards were distributed by Chief Minister of Kerala V.S.Achuthanandan to all the winning recipients.
It was the Hong Kong film ‘Getting Home’ directed by Yang Zhang which clinched the audience award and the best Asian Film award. Meanwhile the FIPRESI jury award went to the Portuguese film ‘Sleep Walking Land’ directed by Teresa Prata. And the Malayalam film ‘Ore Kadal’ directed by Shyamaprasad won the best Malayalam film award.
Manya Akbari won the Rajatha Chakoram for the best director and Lucia Puenzo walked away with the best debut director crown. These awards were adjudicated by a panel of eminent persons headed by the Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi. It was informed that the Suvarna Chakoram award carried a cash prize of Rs10 lakh, while the Rajatha Chakoram carried a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh.
This eight day long film festival featured many film from various languages and attracted a huge number of film lovers from all over the world to participate. The festival also helped many budding movie makers to show off their talent in a big platform, now all are looking forth for the next Kerala Film Festival.
