After being adjudged the best movie at the New York Film Festival, the makers of Marathi film Vihir (The Well) are hoping for another honour at the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here.

Vihir is vying with 17 others, two of them from India, for accolade in the competition section at IFFI. It bagged the 'Best Picture' award at the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council (MIAAC) Film Festival that concluded in New York last week.

"I don't think that (MIAAC) award will influence the jury at IFFI. The jury, in any festival, judges the movies on their own criteria," Girish Kulkarni, actor and writer of the movie, told PTI.

"All you can do is to keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best," he added.

For a year, the film has travelled through all prestigious festivals, including Berlin, Rotterdam, Pusan and Karlovy Vary fest held at Czech Republic, and has won laurels.

Kulkarni said any award is very important "because it is recognition of the work that you have executed. With award, you get confidence that the direction you are heading to is proper and people are appreciating that."

Vihir, produced by Amitabh Bachchan Corp (AB Corp), deals with the story of two adolescent boys, Sameer and Nachiket, who are cousins and best friends, and are standing at the crossroads of life.

Vihir features veteran actors like Mohan Agashe, Sulabha Deshpande, Madan Deodhar, Alok Rajwade and Jyoti Subhash.

Kulkarni said Marathi cinema is becoming international in content and quality.

"Many young directors are coming up with new ideas," the Pune-based filmmaker said.