MUMBAI: This year's Tunis International Film Festival, that was held between 27 to 30 May, handed over the best film award of $5000 to German director Andrea Schorr for his film Im Anhang Lebenslauf took the top prize while Hallee Hirsh was named best actress for her role in the US director Becky Smith's film 16 to Life.

The festival, now in its fourth year had the words 'Women, I Love You as its slogan and strove to honour women for their role in the film industry and in all walks of life. The event that was first launched in 2007 has always upheld the same slogan.

Besides Tunisia, more than 12 countries took part in the festival, including Japan, Mexico and the United States. All films featured were categorised as writers' films or films belonging to the independent cinema as opposed to commercial films.

Tunisia was represented by a film titled Samt al-Kosoor (The Silence of Castles) directed by Moufida Tletli.

The official competition comprised of six films including works from the US, Germany, Spain and Hungary as well as a British-Indian co-production.
A number of acclaimed figures like Claudia Cardinale, Yamina Ben Kiki and Tunisian actress Dora Zarrouk have earlier graced the festival.