Belgium's entry for the Foreign Language Oscar: Pauline & Paulette by Lieven Debrauwer was the big winner at this year's "Joseph Plateau Awards" which were presented during the International Flanders Film Festival in Ghent.

Five of the seven awards celebrating local Belgian filmmaking went to Debrauwer's film in the categories of Best Belgian Film, Best Belgian Director, Best Belgian Screenplay (Debrauwer and Jacques Boon), Best Belgian Actress (Dora Van Der Groen) and the Public Choice Award.

Meanwhile, the Best Belgian Actor Award was given to Dirk Roofthooft for his performance in Pleure Pas Germaine and the Sabam Prize for Best Music went to Arno Hintjes for his score for L'Amour En Suspens.

After the announcement in Ghent of the Oscar selection jury's decision, Frank Geerkens, Belgium's Consul General in Los Angeles, indicated that funds would be made available to support a promotional campaign for Debrauwer's film to win a nomination into the final lineup for the Foreign Language Oscar category.