Samira Makhmalbaf's At Five In The Afternoon has won The Golden Peacock for the Best Film in the Asian competition section of the International Film Festival of India.

The film has previously won the Special Jury Award at Cannes. Makhmalbaf, who was not present to receive her prize, donated her cash prize of US$ 10,000 to Indian charities working for human rights, women and children.

The Silver Peacock for the Most Promising Asian Director, was awarded to 34-year-old Israeli Ra'anan Alexandrowicz for his film James' Journey To Jerusalem.

Another Silver Peacock for the Special Jury Award was won by one of two Indian entries in the competition section, Bengali film Prohor directed by 33-year-old Subhadro Chowdhury.

Noted Malayalam film maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan was honoured by the French government with the 'Commandeur Des Arts et Lettres' order for his outstanding contribution to international cinema.

French Ambassador to India Dominque Girard conferred the award on the veteran director at a simple ceremony at the French Embassy in New Delhi. Ambassador Girard told ScreenDaily.com, "The distinction is being conferred upon Adoor for his outstanding contribution to cinema and to the development of Indo-French co-operation in film production, distribution and exhibition."

Adoor, whose ninth film Nizhal Kuthu (Shadow Kill) is co-produced by a French company Artcam, said he was "overwhelmed" by the support given to him by a nation that continues to encourage good cinema. "It is indeed a great honour. By this award, you have honoured the new Indian Cinema, of which I am just one practitioner," he told ScreenDaily.com.