Mumbai: Nandita Das’s debut film Firaaq has won a special award from Ministry of Culture, Greece at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF) ‘2008.

TIFF is one of the leading festivals in Europe and the 49th edition was held between the 14 and 23 of November. It is the oldest festival to focus on the work of emerging new International filmmakers.

Firaaq had two screenings at the festival of which the first was on the 16 at the Olympian Cinema. Screening for the first time in competition at an International Film Festival, Firaaq not only won the special award but was one of the audience favourites too.

Talking after the award ceremony Das said, "Firaaq is my first film and this is its first award, so for sure, it feels good. This festival has been incredible and was wonderful to see the audience connect to the film so spontaneously.”

"Firaaq screenings around the world have also given me an opportunity to interact with many interesting and creative people. In Thessaloniki, I met with Gustavo Santaolalla (music composer of films like Motor Cycle Diaries, Babel, and Brokeback Mountain), Guillermo Navarro (cinematographer for Pan’s Labyrinth), Oliver Stone (director of films like Scarface, Platoon, Wallstreet," she added.