Sri Lankan film Riverstone, directed by Lalith Rathnayake, won the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Director in the International Competition at the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), which concluded yesterday (14).

Cuban film To the West in Zapata by David Bim won Best Film, while Croatian director Ivona Juka received the Special Jury Award for Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day.

The award for Best Indian Documentary went to Bijoyee Japoner Patkatha by Joydeep Banerjee.

Renowned filmmaker Goutam Ghosh was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award as part of FIPRESCI’s centenary celebrations.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking at the closing ceremony, encouraged international delegates to invest in the state’s film industry, highlighting Bengal’s talent and diverse natural locations.