September 13 (BTA) - Precious, a short puppet animation by French director Paul Mas, won the Grand Prix at the 17th World Festival of Animated Film in Varna, the organizers said on Monday.

Director Vessela Dantcheva's Love in Times of Tourism was named Best Bulgarian Film. The Chilean TV production Lucho Apa and the Soil directed by Clau Zavala was distinguished in the Children's Films and TV Series category. The Portuguese production for children The Girl Who Stood Still directed by Joana Todte was the other winner in this category.

Italy's "Underwater Love" directed by Veronica Martiradonna, Andrea Falzone and Cristina Fiore was named Best Student Film.

The Critic's Prize went to the Georgian production Abandoned Village directed by Mariam Kapanadze, that of the Union of Bulgarian Film Makers to Pet directed by Bulgarian Nastimir Tsachev. Another Bulgarian film, Svilen Dimitrov's Shell in Love won the award of the Union of Bulgarian Artists.

The official award-giving ceremony is to be held on Monday evening at Varna's Festival and Congress Centre.