Chinese film emerges winner at Kerala film fest

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 16 (IANS) The Chinese film "Stolen Life" won top honours at the 10th International Film Festival of Kerala that ended here Friday.

Jury chairman Bertrand Tavernier announced the Swarana Chakoram award for the best film to "Stolen Life", which also won a cash prize of Rs.1 million.

The festival opened Dec 9 and 200-odd films from various countries were screened for the state's film buffs. There were 14 films in the competition section.

The award for the best director too went to China with Lu Chuan picking up the award for "Kekexili, The Mountain Patrol". Lu won the Rajath Chakoram and a cash prize of Rs.300,000.

"Kekexili, The Mountain Patrol" also bagged the audience award for best film and an additional cash prize of Rs.100,000.

Vietnamese directors Doan Minh Phuong and Doan Thanh Nghia were selected the best debutant directors for their film "Bride of Silence". They received the Rajath Chakoram and a cash prize of Rs.200,000.

IFFK has over the years attracted a lot of attention, with some film pundits describing it as one of the best 10 festivals for world cinema.

The eight-day event was organised by the Chalachitra Academy with the support of the Kerala government, which provided Rs.12 million for the festival.