The film also brought Shahbazi the award for best screenwriter, the Turkish daily newspaper Yeni Safak announced on Monday.
“Malaria” tells the story of a young woman who elopes with her boyfriend to spend her time in the company of a band of street musicians in Tehran. Afterwards, she plans to hoodwink her father and brothers by claiming that she has been kidnapped and wants them to promptly send the ransom money.
Iranian director Majid Majidi’s latest drama “Beyond the Clouds”, which had its world premiere at the BIF London Film Festival this October, also won two awards at the festival.
The Indian star of the movie, Ishaan Khattarwas, was picked as best actor while Hassan Hassandust received the award for best editor for his collaboration in the movie.
In addition, the best international short fiction film award was given to “Retouch” by Kaveh Mazaheri from Iran.
The Ahmet Ulucay Short Film Grand Prix was handed to “Les Miserables” by Ladj Ly from France.
The Anadolu Agency is one of the main sponsors of the festival, which is organized by the Bogazici Cinema Association and the Istanbul Media Academy.
Source: Tehran Times