During the 31st edition of the Flanders International Film Festival - Ghent, the film Nobody Knows (Daremo Shiranai) by Japanese filmmaker Kore-EdaHirozaku, who has already achieved international recognition with After Life, was awarded the Grand Prizefor Best Film, which carries an award of Euros 25,000 towards distribution.

The international jury announced its decision on Saturday,October 16 during a ceremony which took place at the Capitole prior to thescreening of Lieven Debrauwer's second full-length feature film Confituur.

The Georges Delerue Prize for Best Music was awarded toMiguel Angel Miranda and Jose Miguel Tobar for the music of Andres Wood's Machuca, a Chilean-Spanish-Frenchco-production. This prize carries an award of Euros 15,000 intended to promotedistribution.

The Sabam Prize for Best Screenplay (Euros 12,500distribution award) was given to Suha Arraf and Eran Riklis for the screenplayof The Syrian Bride by Eran Riklis.

Atiq Rahimi, the director of the Afghan film Earth And Ashes, received the RobertWise Prize for Best Director (Euros 5,000 distribution award).

Actor Kevin Bacon received a special citation from the juryfor his portrayal of child molester Walter in Nicole Kassell's film The Woodsman.

In addition to the above, a number of other prizes were alsoawarded during the ceremony. The UIP/Ghent Prize was awarded to Little Terrorist by Ashvin Kumar. Thisprize, with a value of Euros 2,000, also includes a nomination for the UIPPrize at the European Film Awards, with a value of Euros 10,000.

The Prize of the Flemish Community for the Best BelgianShort Film was awarded to Cologne byKaat Beels.

The Mine Xplore Prize went to Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, while the Canvas PublicPrize went to La Finestra Di Fronteby Turkish director Ferzan Ozpetek.

The Fnac Public Prize will be awarded during the course ofnext week.

The 31st edition of the Flanders International Film Festival- Ghent will be from October 11 - 22, 2005