Waheeda and Werner to give a gracious start to the fest


One of India’s most popular actresses of yesteryears, Waheeda Rehman will inaugurate the 15th International Film Festival of Kerala. The legendary beauty of bollywood who had mesmerized her roles in the Indian classic’s like Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa and Kaagaz ka Phool will kick off a gorgeous start to this year’s film festival.

This year, the Chalachitra Academy has chosen the renowned German film maker, Werner Herzog for the award in the lifetime achievement category.
Werner Herzog, the famous movie maker, producer, screen writer, actor and an opera director is a notable figure in the New German Cinema. Adoor Gopalakrishnan heading a league of visionaries including Academy Chairman and the vice-chairman and few renowned critics of the movie industry selected Herzog for his momentous contribution to the film industry.

The Education and Cultural minister, M A Baby announced the award which comprises of an amount of $10,000USD. The award takes the form of a memento, the design of which has been conceived by C N Karunakaran. The award will be received by Mr Herzog in the presence of a gigantic gathering at the commencing ceremony of the 15th IFFK at Nishagandhi, Trivandrum.

The event will also reward the winner of the best film award with a cash prize of Rupees 15 lakhs. Other Malayalam films which have been selected to be showcased will be awarded a special prize of Rupees 1 lakh each. The selected movies will also be given subtitles and sent to other national and international film festivals under the supervision of the Kerala Film Academy.