Spanish director Pedro Almodovar has been jeered by animal rights protesters over the deaths of four bulls during his most recent film, as he received an Italian movie prize.

Oscar-winner Almodovar collected a special European Nastro D'Argent prize at Italy's oldest film awards in a packed 7,000-seat Greek amphitheatre in Sicily.

But while fans applauded him, animal rights protesters hissed loudly to express their anger over his film, Habla Con Ella (Talk to Her), according to Screen Daily.

Winners

Best film: Hour Of Religion, Marco Bellocchio Best screenplay: Lucilla Schiaffino, Cristina Comencini, Giulia Calenda, The Best Day Of My Life Best actor: Sergio Castellitto, Hour Of Religion Best actress: Valeria Golino, Respiro - Grazia's Island Best supporting actor: Leo Gullotta, Vajont Best supporting actress: Virna Lisi, Sandra Ceccarelli, Margherita Buy, The Best Day Of My Life

Madrid's Animal Amnesty has already filed a complaint with the capital's regional environmental department.

'Laws broken'

The group claimed Almodovar and his production company, El Deseo, violated an animal protection law demanding that any film scene purporting to show cruelty to, mistreatment of, or suffering by animals must be staged.

The maximum fine for the offence is $13,513 (£9,528).

Four bulls were killed in the bullfighting film

El Deseo insisted it had the proper permits to carry out the slaughter at the bullring in Aranjuez.

The film centres on a female bullfighter, played by Spanish singer Rosario Flores.

Almodovar is best known for the movie All About My Mother which picked up the best foreign film at the 2000 Oscars.

Winners

Other Nastro d'Argento winners at Saturday's awards included Marco Bellocchio, who took home the best film prize for Hour Of Religion.

Bellocchio also won the award for best story.

Sergio Castellitto was named best actor while veteran actress Virna Lisi picked up a joint best supporting actress prize for her role in The Best Day of My Life, alongside co-stars Margherita Buy and Sandra Ceccarelli.

The Best Day of My Life also earned the best screenplay prize.