Kolkata, Nov 17 (PTI) Dutch filmmaker Tamar Van Den Dop and Najwa Najjar of Palestine jointly won the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for the best woman director at the 20th Kolkata International Film Festival, which came to an end today.
Dop was given the award for ‘Supernova’, based on a lonely teenage girl’s fantasy while Najjar made ‘Eyes of the Thief’ reflecting contemporary Palestinian society.
The winners were given the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award trophy and a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh.
The best film award went to ‘Tales’ by veteran Iranian director Rakshan Banietemad.
Australian filmmaker Paul Cox and Bollywood director Amol Palekar were part of the international jury which adjudged the best film and the best woman director.
The Jury Award (special mention) went to Shira Gaffen of Israel for her film ‘Self Made’.
This was the first time that the festival started a competitive section where 15 films made by women directors were shortlisted and screened.
The closing ceremony was attended by Bollywood director and choreographer Farah Khan.
