YANGON, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi called for active cooperation of government and artists to upgrade local movie industry to enter the international industry at a film academy awards presentation ceremony late Saturday.

The state councelor also urged to produce more culture-based films which can portray Myanmar's culture and heritage to attract interest from all over the world.

The Myanmar Motion Picture Organization (MMPO) presented 12 motion picture academy awards for the year 2018 to the outstanding artists after scrutiny out of 83 selected movies produced last year.

Myint Myint Khin, 85-year-old film actress who has previously won five film academy awards, was presented the lifetime achievement award.

Aiming at encouraging domestic film production and bringing up its quality, the film academy award presentations were annually held since 1952.