Thiruvananthapuram: Malu, the Brazilian film directed by Pedro Freire, won the Suvarna Chakoram (Golden Crow Pheasant) for Best Film at the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). The award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh, was handed over to the director by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The People's Award for Best Film went to Fasil Muhammed's debut Malayalam film, Feminichy Fathima. The film, a satirical take on religious orthodoxy and patriarchy, also won several awards in different sections.

In his inaugural address, CM Vijayan said this edition of IFFK was noted for the focus on woman filmmakers. He said the festival was made a "hit" by delegates' unprecedented participation and cooperation. "There have been several illustrations which proved that the film fest stood for the cause of the oppressed," he said. The festival could take to the audience the social, political and cultural issues of the third world, he added. Vijayan exuded confidence that the festival would encourage youth with political awareness to come to the world of cinema.

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The winners of the other awards are:
Jury Awards for International Competition
Rajatha Chakoram for best director: Farshad Hashemi (Me, Mariam, the children and 26 others)
Rajatha Chakoram for debut director: Cristobal Leon and Joaquin Cocina for Hyperboreans
Best screenplay: Fasil Muhammed (Feminichy Fathima)
Special jury mention for technical excellence: East of Noon
Special jury mention for performance: Anagha Ravi (Appuram) and Chinmaya Siddi (Rhythm of Dammam)

NETPAC Awards
Best Malayalam film: Feminichy Fathima directed by Fasil Muhammed
Special jury mention: Kiss Wagon directed by Mithun Murali.
Best Asian Film: Me, Mariam, the children and 26 others (Iran, director)

FIPRESCI Awards
Best debutant Malyalam director: Sivaranjini J for Victoria
Best film in International Competition: Fasil Muhammed (Feminichy Fathima)

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FSSI V K Mohanan Endowment
Best debut director from India: Indu Lakshmi (Appuram)
Special mention for Fasil Muhammed (Feminichy Fathima)

Spirit of Cinema honour for Payal Kapadia
The chief minister presented the Spirit of Cinema award to director Payal Kapadia, whose debut feature film All We Imagine as Light won the Grand Prix at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The award, which includes a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a memento, was introduced in 2016 to honour fierce filmmakers who use cinema as a tool for fighting social injustice.

Armenian filmmakers and Nora Armani were honoured for lifetime achievement
Minister for Culture and Films Saji Cheriyan chaired the meet. Minister for Revenue K Rajan, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairman Premkumar, and Divya S Iyer, director of the Department of Culture, were among those who spoke.

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