Mrinal Sen to get lifetime award at Kerala film fest

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3 (IANS) Acclaimed filmmaker Mrinal Sen will be the first recipient of the lifetime achievement award at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) to open here Dec 11, an official said Thursday.

'The award carries a cash prize of Rs.3 lakh and Mrinal Sen was selected for the award by a jury chaired by Malayalam actor Madhu,' state Culture Minister M.A. Baby told reporters here.

The 14th edition of the IFFK would be held over eight days and 164 films from various countries would be exhibited in 11 categories.

'There would be 14 films in competition, including two Malayalam films. The best film award will have a prize of Rs.10 lakh (Rs.1 million),' said Baby.

The IFFK is being organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.