By : Arvind Sharma
The 9th Free Spirit Film Festival was concluded successfully at Tibetan Children Village Mcleodganj, late night on Wednesday, 23 October. A total of 19 films were screened. The film, Arise by tibetan filmmaker Pema Dhondup had its India premiere. Dhondup, who came all the way from Los Angeles, presented the film and answered a few questions from the audience.
Director of the organizing committee of Free Spirit Film Festival, Lobsang Wangyal announced the name of the the films that won awards at the Free Spirit Film Festival. The names are as follows:
Best Picture – Koan of Spring directed by Lou Ma Ho
Best Director – Pema Dhondup for Arise
Best Screenplay – Sanjay Arora for Once Again (Phir Vehi)
Best Cinematography – Olivier Cohen-Bacri for Koan of Spring
Best Documentary – Elusive Peace in Kashmir
Best Short Film – Villari directed by Prashant Vanjani
Best Editing – Dror Shostak for The Secret Ingredient
Best Music – On Perception and Environment directed by Philip Clemo
Best Art Direction – Farzaneh Sharifzadeh for Absolute Value
Best Original Concept – Neti Neti (Not This, Not This) directed by Dr. Sudeep Ranjan Sarkar
Audience Award – Tofael – the Tea Stall Boy directed by Minhazur Rahman Nayan
Special Mention – Connection Failed directed by Ninad Kulkarni
Special Jury Prize – Arise directed by Pema Dhondup
