Internationally renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan is to receive the 'Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters', the second highest award given to a civilian in France.

French Ambassador Dominique Girard will present the award to Gopalakrishnan on Oct 18, 2003 in a function at the French Cultural Centre in Delhi.

He is the second Indian filmmaker after Satyajit Ray to win the award. France bestows three ranks in the Order of Arts and Letters Award: Chevalier, Officer and Commandeur. Commandeur is the highest in the order.

All of Adoor's films from SWAYAMVARAM onwards have been featured at some French film festival since the last 30 years.

Adoor's latest film NIZHALKKUTHU (Shadow Kill) was screened at Siri Fort in the International Film Festival on Wednesday (Oct 15, 2003). International film critics who attended the Festival appreciated NIZHALKKUTHU. It is an Indo-French co-production. NIZHALKUTTHU is already screened in 27 film festivals. Adoor said that he has got invitation for 100 more film festivals.

Gopalakrishnan, who arrived on Tuesday (Oct 14, 2003) for receiving the award and the ongoing 34th IFFI is being honored for his contribution to cinema and to the development of Indo-French cooperation in film production, distribution, and exhibition.

Created in 1975, the award is aimed at honoring distinguished personalities in the fields of arts and letters and their contribution to the dissemination of culture in France and worldwide.