THE BAND - DEBUT MOVIE WINS TOP AWARD AT TOKYO FILM FESTIVAL

Israeli director ERAN KOLIRIN's debut feature film THE BAND'S VISIT has claimed top prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The controversial movie, about a group of Egyptian police lost in Israel, collected the Japanese event's Sakura Grand Prix on Sunday (28Oct07). Elsewhere, the Special Jury Prize was awarded to Chinese director Li Jixian for The Western Truck Line, while Best Director went to Brit Peter Howitt for Dangerous Parking. Shefali Shah's performance in Gandhi, My Father earned her the Best Actress award, and Damian Ul took home the Best Actor prize for his role in Tricks.