Durban film festival awards announced

Representatives of the judging panels at the Durban International Film Festival announced the winners in a variety of categories. High praise for the festival selection came from the international jury which included Simon Field (ex-Rotterdam festival), Dorothee Wenner (Berlin festival), as well as respected South Africans Martin Botha, John Matshikiza and Teboho Mahlatsi.

Awards were given to:

Best Film
LET THE WIND BLOW
directed by Partho Sen Gupta

Best Direction
ANDREY ZVYAGINTSEV
for The Return

Best Cinematography
GIULLIO BICCARI
for Forgiveness

Best Screenplay
JULIE BERTUCCELLI and BERNARD RENUCCI
for Since Otar Left

Best Actor
MEHDI MORADY
for his performance in Abjad

Best Actress
ESTHER GORINTIN, NINO KHOMASSOURIDZE, DINARA DROUKAROVA
for their performances in Since Otar Left

Audience Choice Best Film
FORGIVENESS
directed by Ian Gabriel

Best First Feature Film
THE TRIPLETS OF BELVILLE
directed by Sylvain Chomet

Best South African Feature Film
Shared between

WOODEN CAMERA
directed by Ntshaveni wa Luruli

and

FORGIVENESS
directed by Ian Gabriel

Best Documentary Film
THE FIVE OBSTRUCTIONS
directed by Lars von Trier and Jorgen Leth

Best South African Documentary Film
Project 10 - Real stories from a free South Africa - BEING PAVAROTTI
directed by Odette Geldenhuys

Best Short Film
THIEF OF BAGHDAD
directed by Diane Nerwan

Best South African Short Film
IVORY MASK
Directed by Lehlohonolo 'Shaft" Moropane

Special Mention
DISTANT
Directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Source: Biz-Community.com