The German movie “Zhaleika” directed by Bulgarian Eliza Petkova won the grand prix award for best film in the international competition of the Sofia International Film Festival.

The winner was announced at the award ceremony which took place in hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in the Bulgarian capital on Saturday.

The Sofia City of Film grand prix award, which amounts to EUR 7000, was provided by Sofia municipality.

A total of 210 movies from 58 countries were presented at the 20th edition of the festival. Among the 269 international guests visiting the festival were renowned directors Ted Kotcheff, Terry Gilliam and Bela Tarr, who were all presented with the Sofia award of Sofia municipality for their contribution to world cinema.

The LIDL Audience Award, which was decided by the spectators' vote, went to the Bulgarian movie “My Father, my mother, my sister” directed by Dimitar Kotsev-Shosho.

“The summer of frozen fountains” (Georgia-Russia) directed by Vano Burduli won the special jury award.

Tomas Weinreb and Petr Kazda were presented the best director award for their movie “I, Olga Hepnarova” (Czech Republic-Poland, Slovakia).

Numerous other awards were presented at the ceremony, including those for best Bulgarian feature and short films, best documentary and best Balkan film.

The largest cinema festival in Bulgaria is continuing until the end of March.