NEW DELHII: Firaaq, the first directorial venture of actress Nandita Das, has won the 'Best feature film' award at the closing ceremony of the 7th Kara Film Festival - Karachi International Film Festival 2009 - in Pakistan.

The closing capped 12 days of screenings and events that showcased over 140 films from over 230 films initially selected. Films from 44 countries participated in Pakistan's premier international film festival.

Indian filmmakers Mahesh Bhatt and Das attended the closing ceremony along with Pakistani filmmakers such as Mazhar Moin and Faseeh Bari Khan, whose film Burnes Road Ki Nilofer picked up two awards.

Firaaq is produced by Percept Picture Company and is yet to release in India.

The Festival jury cited the film for "its brutal honesty and candor" and its "optimism about generating a larger understanding for resolving conflicts and humanity itself." It also expressly emphasized that while "many people might mistakenly believe, especially given the current state of relations between the governments of Pakistan and India, that the choice of Firaaq is an attempt by a festival based in Pakistan to embarrass India regarding its record in Gujarat", the jury's "reasons for choosing Firaaq are far removed from such politicking."

Firaaq, set over a 24-hour period after carnage that took place in Gujarat in 2002, traces the emotional journeys of ordinary people - some who were victims, some perpetrators and some who chose to watch silently. As an ensemble film, it follows multiple narratives that are at times interconnected and at times discreet; yet all are united by their spatial and emotional context.