The princess presented the Golden Kinnaree Award in the International Competition to Indian director Deepa Mehta for "Water", a drama about a child bride sent to live in an ashram after her husband's death.

The princess also gave Lifetime Achievement Awards to the legendary French actress Catherine Deneuve and top local actor Sombat Metanee.

The Vietnamese film "Bride of Silence" won in the Asean division. Director Doan Minh Phuong's fable revolves around a woman who shares the love of three men in pre-colonial Vietnam.

 "Water" and "Bride of Silence" were among more than 150 films screened at the 10-day event, which ends today.

Practically all the movies were shown at the new Siam Paragon cinemas. All were spoken or subtitled in English. None were subtitled in Thai.

Park Chan-wook of Korea was named best director for his "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance", a tale about a model prisoner who exacts a bloody revenge upon her release from jail. Lee Hyung-suk, also of Korea, won in the short-film division for "Under Construction," the story of a man attempting to repair his apartment, which is slated for demolition.

US player Felecity Huffman was named best actress for her role as a transsexual who goes on a transformative cross-country journey in "Transamerica".

South African actor Presley Chaweneyagae won best actor for his portrayal of a brutal robber who attempts to raise a baby after shooting the infant's mother in "Tsotsi".

Argentinian directors Gera Fogwill and Martin DeSalvo's "Kept and Dreamless", about a nine-year-old girl caring for her junkie mother, won in the New Voices category.

David La Chapelle's "Rize", which chronicles life in South Central Los Angeles by focusing on a new style of dance that is sweeping the district, won for best documentary.

Local entry "Art of the Devil 2" won in the People's Choice category.

Deneuve, who last week presented her 1964 musical "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" and soldiered through countless interviews and Q&A sessions with the public, left the ceremony before its conclusion.

Princess Ubolratana stayed to the end, chatting amiably with American actor Willem Dafoe and other guests at the head table. They listened to a full orchestra perform show tunes ranging from "Cabaret" to "Phantom of the Opera" and were entertained by a traditional khon puppet dance. There was a fashion show featuring Thai silks and Koh Mr Saxman played a few jazzy tunes.

In a tribute to the late Gene Kelly, his widow, Patricia Ward Kelly, danced with cinematographer Christopher Doyle to "Singing in the Rain" while the original film clip was projected on a screen.

The evening's five-course menu, which included chilled prawns with a lemongrass dressing and snow fish flavoured with coriander, highlighted ingredients from the Royal Project of His Majesty the King.

Guests at the gala seemed pleased with the fourth edition of the Bangkok International Film Festival, saying the confusion that marred its first few days seemed to vanish as the programme progressed. The event featured educational seminars and panel discussions, which were popular with the public, and the Bangkok Film Market, which industry observers said was much less successful.

The Kinnaree Awards were chosen by an international jury of actors, directors and producers.

Some guests said they hoped that next year's event would feature more local and regional films.

Others said they missed staying in one location. Last year, most filmmakers camped at the Shangri-La Hotel. This year, guests were spread among several downtown venues.

Hal Lipper

The Nation