Critics boo San Sebastian winner

Mon Fils a Moi earned two awards in Spain despite the critics' derision

Movie critics have booed when a top prize was awarded at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain.

Several of them shouted "No, no" and made thumbs-down gestures when it was announced that Mon Fils a Moi, or My Son, had won a Golden Shell.

A second recipient, Half Moon by Kurdish-Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi, proved a more popular winner.

San Sebastian has been described as the most prestigious cinema festival in the Spanish-speaking world.

It is ranked fourth in Europe after Cannes, Berlin and Venice, and was first staged in 1953.

Juan Diego of Spain was awarded the prize for best actor for his role in Vete de Mi (Leave Me).

Bahman Ghobadi (L) won a Golden Shell in 2004 for Turtles Can Fly

The Argentine film El Camino de San Diego (The Way to San Diego), by Carlos Sorin, won the special jury prize.

And American Tom Dicillo took best director for his movie Delirious, which also received best screenplay.

Despite the critical derision, Mon Fils a Moi - directed by Frenchman Martial Fougeron - earned two prizes.

Nathalie Baye, who was one of its stars, won best actress, in addition to the Golden Shell for the film overall.