The two Telugu films in the running, Shikaram and Gantala Bandi, failed to win any awards at the 17th International Child-ren’s Film Festival that was held in the city. The week-long festival ended on Sunday at the Global Peace auditorium where awards in 15 categories were announced. Chillar Party bagged two Golden Elephant awards for the best feature film (Indian) and also in the children’s jury category.

The award for the best feature film (International) went to Meadow, and the best feature film (International), children’s jury, was given to The Crocodiles Strike Back. Denmark-based film-maker Vibeka Muasya was awarded the Golden Elephant for the best director-International for her film Lost in Africa. The plaque for the second best feature film (International) went to The Ugly Duckling. The Golden Elephant for the best screenplay (International) went to Bart Korthuis and Maarteen Lebends for The Strongest Man in Holland.

Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni was the best director (Indian) and Sanjay Chouhan was awarded the best screenplay (Indian) for I Am Kalam. The plaque for the second best feature film was bagged by Dekh Indian Circus. Nine-and-a-half’s Goodbye bagged two awards, for best short film in both the general and children’s jury categories. The award for second best short film went to German film The Ball.

The best little-director was awarded to Varun Haldar and Binita Nayak for Hamari Duniya and the second best little-director went to Aryan Chugh and Sumer Rai for The Adventures of Eddy and Curt. Governor, E. S. L. Narasimhan, who attended the closing ceremony, said that the festival has once again showcased Hyderabad city at the International level. Chief Secretary, Pankaj Dwivedi and Minister D.K. Aruna also participated in the closing ceremony. Ability United, a dance programme performed by differently-abled students, was the cynosure of all eyes at the function.

DC