The Prosecutor's Office in Venice, Italy has launched an investigation concerning Bulgarian-born actress and movie director Michelle Bonev's scandalous award at the Venice Film Fest, as well as who paid for the 40-strong Bulgarian delegation at the ceremony.

On September 4 2010, Bonev received the "Action for Women" award, "dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the European convention for protection of human rights" for her movie "Farewell, Mom".

Last week, Italian media proclaimed the award was actually "fabricated" especially for her.

The investigation will be based on a reportedly recorded phone conversation between Italian Minister of Culture Sandro Bondi and his Deputy Cinema Minister Nicolo Boreli, in which Bondi states that Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has demanded that Bonev's movie be shown in Venice and "some kind of prize" be given to her.

In Italian prosecutors will look into exactly financed Bonev's award ceremony and who paid for the 40-strong Bulgarian ceremony, headed by Bulgaria's Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov.

Last week, Rashidov claimed he did not know who covered the expenses for the Bulgarian delegation and for the special gala, organized for Michelle Bonev. This led to Bulgarian film makers demanding his resignation, as they stated he has violated the government's ethical norms.

Meanwhile, Bonev already declared she paid for the delegation and the ceremony herself.

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