Hyderabad, Kauwboy, a Dutch film about a 10-year-old boy and a bird directed by Boudewijn Koole, won the Golden Elephant Award for best film in the 'International Live Action' category at the 18th International Children's Film Festival this evening.

The festival concluded on Wednesday. German film 'Das Pferd Auf Dem Balkon' (A horse on the Balcony) won the Golden Plaque for second-best film in the same section.

Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan and Tollywood star Pawan Kalyan gave away the awards in sixteen categories. The International Animation Competition section, which was added only this year, saw `Ernest Et Celestine' winning the award for Best Animation Feature while `Zarafa' winning the Golden Plaque for second-best animation film. `Kauwboy' and `Ernest Et Celestine' won Rs 2 lakh cash awards apart from certificates and trophies.

Hindi film `Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya', directed by Shilpa Ranade (which opened the festival) won the jury prize for best artwork under the Competition International Animation section. The film is a Hindi version of the Satyajit Ray's popular Bengali film 'Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne'. The children's jury chose Arnab Chawdhurys 'Arjun' while special jury prize went to `Moon Man'.

The best director award went to Batul Mukthiar for the film 'Kaphal' in 'International Live Action' section while the best screenplay award went to 'Nono-The Zigzag Kid'. The special mention by child jury for cinematography went to 'Windstorm' and the one for the message went to 'Mother I Love You'.

Golden Elephant trophy for Best Little Director category went to Indian film 'Breaking the Silence' of Siddhant Joshi, and 'Tamator Chor'. 'Breaking the Silence' revolves around a below-average boy whose seniors always bully him. The Golden Plaque for second best Little Director was won by 'Phoolwati Amma' and 'Ecole Mondiale World School'.

While the Special mention by Jury award went to three films: 'The Trek', 'Our Bit' and 'Give me a Chance'. In the Competition International Shorts section, Russian film 'Chinti' and South Korean movie 'Noodle Fish' won the Golden Elephant for Best Short and Golden Plaque for Second Best Short, respectively, and won Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 in cash awards, while the Children's jury chose 'Tamaash'. The festival had been organised under the aegis of Children's Film Society of India, and Andhra Pradesh government.

Over 200 selected films from 48 countries were screened during the festival. I am happy that the event had been a rare treat for children and they will carry sweet memories of their week-long stay in Hyderabad, Narasimhan said. AP Minister for Cinematography D K Aruna said the government will continue the incentives to attract more and more children's film-makers and directors.