NEW DELHI: Filmmaker Yash Chopra has been honoured with the Asia Pacific Screen Award (APSA) 2008 award for outstanding achievement in films by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producer’s Associations).
The award, announced at last year’s APSA Ceremony that Chopra was unable to attend following the demise of his brother B R Chopra, was presented to him late last week in person by FIAPF Director General Benoit Ginisty on the opening night celebrations of the Mumbai Film Festival.
Receiving the award, Chopra said, “I am very happy that Benoit Ginisty has specially come to present this prestigious award to me which unfortunately I could not collect last year owing to a personal bereavement. Thanking the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and FIAPF, I humbly accept this award as a recognition for the Indian Film industry as a whole and for myself personally.”
Said APSA Chairman Des Power,“We were delighted when the opportunity came for APSA to formally present Yash Chopra with this award in Mumbai. I congratulate him for serving the film industry with dignity and drive. He deserves our appreciation and well wishes for the future.”
The 2009 FIAPF Award recipients will be announced in the coming weeks, ahead of the third annual APSA Ceremony at Australia’s Gold Coast on 26 November.
37 films from 16 countries will vie for the 2009 APSAs. Films are judged by the International Jury on cinematic excellence and the way in which they attest to their cultural origins.