Thiruvananthapuram, Thursday 3 December 2009: Renowned film director Mrinal Sen has been selected for the maiden award for outstanding contribution to cinema instituted by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy in connection with the 14th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), beginning here on December 11.

Announcing the award at a press conference here on Thursday, State Minister for Culture and Education M A Baby said the award carried a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh and citation.

Veteran Malayalam actor Madhu, who was the Chairman of the award jury committee, said Mr. Sen had been chosen in recognition of his contribution to the world of cinema.

This is the first time that IFFK is introducing an award for outstanding contribution to cinema.

A retrospective of Mrinal Sen’s seven films is one of the highlights of the IFFK. The award would be presented to the veteran film-maker at the inaugural function of the festival, the minister said.