The Asian Festival of 1st Films (AFFF), the world’s primary film and documentary festival celebrating first-time filmmakers, announced the winners of the Festival, shining a light on the leading talent in the region.
Firaaq, from award-winning actress Nandita Das has dazzled the Jury at this year’s festival and takes home an outstanding three awards for Best Film, Best Screenplay and the Foreign Correspondents Association Purple Orchid Award for Best Film. Nandita successfully takes the theme of sectarian violence, something which is so apparent in today’s society, and looks at the impact it has on ordinary people a month after the riots in Gujarat, India in 2002.
Bosco Francis takes the award for Best Actor due to his outstanding performance in Singaporean director Eric Khoo’s exceptional film My Magic, which explores how a drunken father turns to magic in order to redeem himself and win his son’s love. Bosco embraced his passion of magic in the role of the father, performing many of the painful acts and illusions himself.
Dante Nico Garcia, recognized for his outstanding directorial skills, was awarded Best Director. Dante successfully creates an extraordinary love story filled with local flavor in his film Ploning.