'Another Planet' wins best short film award at Iffi

PANAJI: Indo-British production 'Another Planet' won the Golden Lamp Tree Award at the International Film Festival of India, 2011.
The award which carries a cash prize of 4 lakh was presented under the International Competition Section of the Short Film Center (SFC).
Directed by Smita Bhide, the film tells the story of the two Indias - a busy urban one and the rural one that is uncared for.
The 'Silver Lamp Tree Award' which carried a cash prize of 3 lakh went to American Moon Molson for the film 'Crazy Beats Strong Every Time'. "My film is anchored in black American film culture," said Molson.
'Khule Darwaaze' (Open Doors) directed by Ashish Pandey bagged the 'Special Jury Award' and a cash prize of 2 lakh.
The Special Jury Award for a Goan film in the International Competition went to the documentary 'Anthony Gonsalves - The Music Legend'.
Director Ashok Rane collected a cash prize of 50,000 and dedicated his film to Anthony Gonsalves and to all the unsung Goans in the field of cinema.
In the 'Film on Environmental Issues section, the 'Vasudha Award' went to the film 'A Pestering Journey'.
Directed by KR Manoj, the film focuses on the impact of pesticides and insecticides on human lives and has been able to create a moving narrative of the ill-effects of modern agricultural practices.
Manoj, who received a cash prize of 2.75 lakh along with the award, said "It is a big honour...I think this award will give us momentum in the ongoing fight with lethal pesticide."
Iffi director Shankar Mohan said short films have the power to bring about changes in legislation and cited director Bernard Tavernier from France and Indian Mike Pandey as filmmakers who have managed to influence legislation on environmental issues through their films.
Manoj Srivastava, CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa, said the SFC received 218 entries in 13 days of which 16 were shortlisted for the International Competition section and four for the Vasudha award.
Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava, Fiona Lawson-Baker and Giorgio Franchini were jury members for the International Competition section and Sivan, Krishnendu Bose and Alka Tomar were jury members for the Vasudha Award Competition section.