Vasanthabalan’s ‘Angadi Theru’ was selected the best film and debutant director Sargunam’s ‘Kalavani’ was selected the second best movie at the 8th edition of Chennai International Film Festival on Thursday.

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D Napoleon presented the award and a cheque of Rs One Llakh each to Vasanthabalan and executive producer of ‘Angadi Theru’ Vijayakumar.

Sargunam and ‘Kalavani’ producer Nazir were presented the award and a cash prize of Rs 75,000 each. Prabhu Solomon was adjudged as the best director for ‘Myna', while R Parthiban won the jury award for ‘Aayirathil Oruvan.'

‘Orr Iravu’, an eerie thriller directed by Hari Shankar, Harish Narayan and Krishnashekar, got a special award. Varun Kumar, a Velacheri resident, received the film buff award for viewing maximum number of movies at the festival.

Filmmakers Balu Mahendra, K.Bhagyaraj, Aparna Sen, Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation president B Ramakrishnan, Chennai International Film Festival’s vice-chairman S Ve Shekher and CIFF’s festival director E.Thangaraj participated.

A total number of 125 films from 40 countries and 12 Tamil films were screened at the nine-day festival. A total of 1,900 persons viewed the movies as against 1,200 last year, according to the organisers.

The festival was organised by Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation with the support of the Film Federation of India, South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Tamil Nadu.

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