The Argentinian production XXY directed by Lucia Puenzo was named best film of the international competition at the 13th Athens International Film Festival (Opening Nights Conn-X) receiving the Golden Athena and a prize of $14,170(Euros 10,000) in cash handed out by the European Youth Jury formed by 11 young European cinephiles aged between 18-25.

The jury also awarded best director to the Israeli director Eran Kolirin for The Band's Visit and best screenplay to the Mexican writers Rodrigo Pla and Laura Santullo for La Zona by Rodrigo Pla.

A second international jury formed by producer Christine Vachon, composer Michael Galasso, film critic Stephen Dalton, musician Raine Blaininger and actress Themis Bazaka, judged films in the new competitive Music and Film programme, introduced this year by the festival.

The prize in that section went to Distant Echos (Heimatklange) by Stefan Schwietert (Switzerland). It also received a Golden Athena and $14,170 (Euros 10,000) in cash.

Water Lilies by Celina Sciamma (France) received the Audience Award.

Todd Haynes' Venice Jury Prize winner I'm Not There, introduced by its producer Christine Vachon, was the closing film of the festival during the awards gala.

Attendance for the 12 days event rose to 50,000 plus admissions.

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