Panaji, Nov 30 (IANS): A Portuguese film "Beatriz's War", set in East Timor, won the prestigious Golden Peacock award at the 44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which came to a close Saturday.

Directed by Luigi Acquisto and Bety Reis, the film was unanimously chosen by the jury for the award, which comes with a Golden Peacock statuette, a certificate and Rs.40 lakh.

The film deals with intimate relationships between men and women against the continuous violence in East Timor.

Bengali film "Meghe Dhaka Tara", directed by Kamaleswar Mukherjee won the Silver Peacock award. The director of the film, which is based on the life and works of legendary Bengali film director Ritwik Ghatak netted a prize of Rs.15 lakh.

The best director award was given to Kaushik Ganguly for his film "Apur Panchali", a smart tribute to the Oscar award-winning Indian director Satyajit Ray.

Ganguly received Rs.15 lakh and a Silver Peacock. Alon Moni Aboutboul won the Best Actor (male) award for her performance in the film "A Place in Heaven", where his performance as a cruel and sensitive character was applauded. He received Rs.10 lakh, a certificate and a Silver Peacock statuette.

The Best Actor (female) award was won by Magdalena Boczarska for her intense, strong portrayal of a victim who subtly turns an oppressor. She received Rs.10 lakh, a certificate and a Silver Peacock. The Special Jury Award was granted to Onur Unlu, director of the film "Thou Gilds't The Even". He received a Silver Peacock, a certificate and Rs.15 lakh.