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MUMBAI TAR34 IFFR-PEBBLES-AWARD
India’s ‘Pebbles’ wins top prize at International Film Festival Rotterdam
MUMBAI, Feb 8, 2021 (BSS/PTI) – Indian drama “Pebbles”, directed by
filmmaker Vinothraj PS, has won the top honour, the Tiger Award for best
film, at the 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).
The Tamil language film follows an alcoholic abusive husband who, after
his long-suffering wife runs off, sets out with his young son to find her and
bring her back.
IFFR shared the award announcement on its official Twitter handle.
“This edition’s Tiger Award, IFFR’s most prestigious prize, goes to Pebbles
by #VinothrajPS,” the tweet read.
An emotional Vinothraj thanked the jury for selecting his feature
directorial debut for the top prize. “Feeling emotional! Pebbles won the
Tiger Award 2021. Our Hardwork, patience & Dream finally came true.Thank you
all for your love and support,” he posted on the microblogging site alongside
IFFR’s announcement.
The Tiger Award is accompanied by a Euro 40,000 cash prize, to be shared
between the director and producer of the winning film.
The jury of the festival featured Mosotho screenwriter Lemohang Jeremiah
Mosese, Syrian filmmaker Orwa Nyrabia, Egyptian visual artist Hala Elkoussy,
Dutch screenwriter Helena van der Meulen and producer Ilse Hughan.
On the festival’s website, the jury described “Pebbles” as “a lesson in
pure cinema”.
“Although the story deals with gruelling poverty in the searing drought-
ridden landscapes of southern India, it succeeded nonetheless in captivating
the jury with its beauty and humour,” the jury added.
Titled “Koozhangal” in Tamil, “Pebbles” stars a host of new comers and is
produced by Vignesh Shivan and Nayantara.
“First Production of @Rowdy_Pictures wins one of the most prestigious
international award! First Tamil film to win this award. 2021 #TigerAward
winner #Koozhangal #Pebbles.can’t be happier!” Shivan tweeted.
He had also attended the film’s world premiere at IFFR last week along
with Nayantahra.
Soon after the movie’s win, filmmaker Guneet Monga and directors Neeraj
Ghaywan and Karthik Subbaraj congratulated the team for getting the top prize
at the festival. The Special Jury Award at IFFR went to “I Comete – A
Corsican Summer” by French filmmaker Pascal Tagnati, alongside “Looking for
Venera” by Norika Sefa.
The jury said “I Comete” is “a true love letter to humanity”, while
“Looking for Venera” is “an intimate slice of life…imbued with the
precarious, yet resilient quest to find one’s young self.”
The Special Jury Award included Euro 10,000 cash prize for each winner.
IFFR ran from February 1 – February 7.
BSS/PTI/ARS/2034 hrs