"Akasa Kusum" wins Best Asian Film in Granada

“Akasa Kusum (Flowers of the Sky),” has been jointly awarded the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film at the third Cines del Sur Festival in Granada. “Akasa Kusum” shares the award with “Before the Burial,” by Iranian director Behnam Behzadi. It beat out films from such countries as India, China, Korea, the Palestine, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Iraq at an event which took place over the weekend in Granada, Spain.

The Jury at the festival said "Akasa Kusum" was recognized 'for its strong portrayal of female characters whose lives, regrets and new beginnings are depicted in a delicate yet convincing way.' Actress Nimmi Harasgama, who attended the film's screening along with her co-star Kaushalya Fernando, accepted the award on behalf of its producers.

The film, to be released in Sri Lanka in late July 2009, won Malini Fonseka the Silver Peacock Award at the Indian International Film Festival held in Goa, for her performance as Sandhya Rani. It also won a Special Jury Mention at the Vesoul Film Festival in France earlier this year and is garnering favourable notices in the world festival circuit.