Koozhangal wins Tiger Award at International Film Festival Rotterdam

Koozhangal (Pebbles), directed by Vinothraj PS has won the Tiger Award at the 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam. The only film from India to be screened in the Tiger competition this year, it has become only the second Indian film to ever win the honour. Koozhangal is also the first Tamil movie to win the Tiger Award.

Starring a host of newcomers, the film follows an alcoholic, abusive husband who, after his long-suffering wife runs off, sets out with his young son to find and bring her back.

The film's director Vinothraj took to Twitter to thank the jury for selecting his feature for the award. 

Notably, the film is produced by filmmaker Vignesh Shivan and actor Nayanthara.

The Tiger Award is accompanied by a Euro 40,000 cash prize, to be shared between the director and producer of the winning film. The jury consisted of Mosotho screenwriter Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese, Syrian filmmaker Orwa Nyrabia, Egyptian visual artist Hala Elkoussy, Dutch screenwriter Helena van der Meulen, and producer Ilse Hughan.

The festival's website states that the jury described Pebbles as a 'lesson in pure cinema'. “Although the story deals with gruelling poverty in the searing drought-ridden landscapes of southern India, it succeeded nonetheless in captivating the jury with its beauty and humour,” the statement reads.