The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) concluded with a grand ceremony at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa on November 28, 2024. The festival, which ran for nine days, showcased over 200 films from 75 countries, offering a vibrant lineup of masterclasses and panel discussions featuring prominent industry figures such as Manoj Bajpayee, Ranbir Kapoor, AR Rahman, and Pankaj Tripathi.
SOURCE : ZEE
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the winners, with Lithuanian drama Toxic winning the coveted Golden Peacock Award for Best Film. Directed by Saulė Bliuvaitė, Toxic explores the story of two teens who dream of escaping the bleakness of their hometown and form a unique bond at a local modeling school. The film delves into the harsh realities of growing up in an economically deprived society with sensitivity and empathy.
Source:- bbc news
The Best Actor Female award was shared by Vesta Matulytė and Ieva Rupeikaitė for their stellar performances in Toxic. Their portrayal of two young women navigating the complexities of ambition and desperation added depth and authenticity to the film’s narrative.
Clément Favreau won the Best Actor Male award for his performance in the French film Holy Cow. Directed by Louise Courvoisier, the film is a delightful coming-of-age comedy-drama that follows 18-year-old Totone, whose carefree life is turned upside down as he takes on responsibility for his younger sister.
Romanian filmmaker Bogdan Muresanu received the Best Director award for his work on The New Year That Never Came, a tragicomedy set against the backdrop of the 1989 Revolution. The film unfolds over a single day as characters seek love, freedom, and meaning in a world overshadowed by fear and absurdity.
The festival also recognized emerging talent, with Navjyot Bandiwadekar winning the Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film award for his Marathi film Gharat Ganpati. Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin’s Crossing was awarded the prestigious ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal for reflecting the values of peace, non-violence, and the promotion of human rights.
Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce was honoured with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his prolific and extensive cinematic journey. Vikrant Massey was named the Indian Film Personality of the Year for his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema.
The Best Web Series award went to Lampan, a Marathi series directed by Nipun Avinash Dharmadhikari, based on stories written by Prakash Narayan Sant. The series follows the tale of a dreamy child with unbounded curiosity.
The festival also featured a fashion show at IFFIESTA for individuals from marginalized communities and celebrated the centenary of cinematic legends like Raj Kapoor and Mohammed Rafi through screenings of their iconic films.
The 55th IFFI was a celebration of cinematic excellence, showcasing the unifying power of cinema and nurturing the future of global storytelling.
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