LOCARNO (Switzerland), Aug 16: Pakistani filmmaker Sabiha Sumar Saturday won the top prize at Switzerland’s principal film festival with her story of a woman whose son becomes an extremist.

The Golden Leopard was awarded to “Khamosh Pani” (Silent Waters), a study in the relationship between a widow and her son as the young man veers into religious extremism after 1979.

The jury’s special prize went to Rumania’s Calin Netzer for “Maria”, while Serban Ionescu earned the award for best actor for his role in the same film.

Bosnia’s Pjer Zalica for “Gali Vatra” (Fire) and Catherine Hardwicke of the US for “Thirteen” shared second prize.

The prize for best actress was split between Holly Hunter (Thirteen), Diana Dumbrava (Maria) and Kirron Kher (Khamosh Pani).

Nineteen movies from 16 countries were competing this year for the Golden Leopard award at the 56th Locarno film festival.—AFP