'Wajib' bags Suvarna Chakoram at IFFK
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Thiruvananthapuram: Palestinian film 'Wajib' has bagged the 'Suvarna Chakoram' (Golden Crow Pheasant) for the best International film at the 22nd International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), which concluded here Friday.
The Annemarie Jacir directed family drama gets a cash award of Rs 15 lakh, a certificate and a memento.
The 'Rajat Chakoram' (silver pheasant) for the best director went to Thai filmmaker Anucha Boonyawatana for her film 'Malila: The Farewell Flower', while Colombian film 'Candeleria' received the Jury's special mention.
The 'Rajatha Chakoram' for the Best debut Director was presented to Sanju Surendran for his film 'Aden' (Garden of Desire).
This film also received the FIPRESCI award, instituted by the International Federation of Film critics.
Indian comedy drama 'Newton' directed by Amit Masurkar won the NETPAC and FIPRESCI awards, while Dinesh Pothen directed 'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum' won the NETPAC award in the Malayalam category.
The award for the best popular film was bagged by 'I Still Hide to Smoke', by Rahana Obermeyer from Algeria.
The awards were presented by state Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and the function was presided by Culture affairs minister A K Balan.
At least 190 films from 65 countries were screened at the eight day long festival, which began on a sombre note on December 8 as Kerala was hit by the Ockhi cylone that claimed 66 lives and has left 95 missing so far.
A formal inaugural ceremony also was not held this time due to the devastation caused by the cyclone.