BANGKOK — An indie film related to the 1976 massacre at Thammasat University won three top awards Sunday night at the film industry’s annual awards show, with a fair share of the honors going to mass-market movies.

It was a big night for director Anocha Suwichakornpong, whose latest film “By The Time It Gets Dark” won three of the 11 awards for which it was nominated – Best Picture, Best Director and Best Film Editing – at the National Film Association Awards also known as the Subannahongsa (Golden Swan) Awards.

“The award is dedicated to change and freedom of thought and expression,” Anocha said in her acceptance speech, as she became the first woman to be named best director.

A week after the 89th Academy Awards ceremony was held in Los Angeles, there were no embarrassing moments due to incorrect envelopes Sunday night at the KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha theater in Bangkok.

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“By The Time It Gets Dark” or “Dao Khanong” tells an interwoven story of characters connected by the violence of Oct. 6, 1976, when dozens of student protesters were murdered by state and paramilitary forces. Last year was the 40th anniversary of what today is euphemistically referred to as the “Oct. 6 incident” and barely acknowledged.

Apart from Anocha’s dark horse win, more commercial fare was celebrated as well.

The two top acting prices went to Nittha “Mew” Jirayungyurn and Chantavit “Ter” Dhanasevi for their work in 2016’s second-highest grossing film, “One Day” or “Fanday…Fan Kun Khae Wan Diaw.” The rom-com by Banjong Pisanthanaku came out of GDH 559, which counts two partners from former feel-good production company GTH.

“Khun Phan,” a period action film by Kongkiat Khomsiri, earned the most awards of the night, including Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup Effects and Best Supporting Actor for Krissada Sukosol Clapp.

Other awards last night:

Best Supporting Actress: Penpak Sirikul for “A Gas Station”

Best Screenplay: Tanwarin Sukkhapisit for “A Gas Station”

Best Cinematographer: Urupong Raksasad for “Wandering

Best Recording and Sound Mixing: “A Gift (Porn Chak Fah)”

Best Original Score: “A Gift”

Best Original Song: “From Bangkok to Mandalay”

Best Art Direction: “Motel Mist

Lifetime Achievement: Yodchay Meksuwan, actor and sculptor

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The Golden Swan awards have been presented annually since 1992 by the National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations.