New York: Meera Menon, a first time writer-director of Indian origin, has won the inaugural Nora Ephron Prize at the 12th annual Tribeca film festival here.

She was chosen from eight contenders for the USD 25,000 prize, constituted in honour of the late writer-filmmaker of iconic movies like 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'Julie & Julia'.

Menon's film 'Farah Goes Bang', showing in festival's Viewpoints section, follows an awkward twenty-something trying to lose her virginity while campaigning for John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election.

"As a filmmaker I had always been inspired by Nora, she emblematized how to take pain and suffering and turn them into laughter and joy. Those qualities inspired me and my co-filmmakers.

"Receiving this incredible honor in her name means more than I could ever articulate," said Menon after being presented with the prize by TFF co-founder Jane Rosenthal and Sally Singer, Vogue's creative digital director at the annual Women's Filmmaker Brunch here.

Rosenthal said Menon's debut film "captures the spirit and themes of Nora's work".

Singer was impressed by the use of humour in Menon's film to address questions related to cultural rifts.

"To me, this is a film that gives voice to deep emotions and cultural rifts with wry humour. Like the body of Nora's work, Meera's film is both immensely clever and compassionate," said Singer.