'Abu' wins at IFFI, now out of IFFK

Cinemimi[Tuesday, December 06, 2011]
'Porfirio', a Colombian drama about an air pirate, walked away with the coveted Golden Peacock at the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) while Malayalam film 'Adaminte Makan Abu' was adorned with the special jury award. Debutante Salim Ahmed's movie was the only Indian film in the competition section.

Also country's entry for the Oscars next year, the movie's director was in IFFI to receive the award comprising of a Silver Peacock and a cash prize of Rs 15 lakhs. Salim Ahmed said that he would use the money to promote his film at the Oscars next year.

The last time a Malayalam film has won an award at the IFFI was in 2000 when Jayaraj's film 'Karunam' won the best film award.Interestingly, as the movie has won the prestigious titles in IFFI, 'Adaminte Makan Abu' is now omitted from the competition section of the year's IFFK, leaving the section devoid of any Malayalam films. The movie was now pushed out according to the IFFK festival by-law which lays down those movies which have already participated in other Indian film festivals are not eligible for entry into the competition section.