The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) concluded with a grand closing ceremony at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa on November 28, 2024. The nine-day event showcased over 200 films from 75 countries, celebrating the global spirit of cinema.
The closing ceremony was attended by the jury, chaired by Ashutosh Gowariker, along with Anthony Chen, Elizabeth Karlsen, Fran Borgia, and Jill Bilcock, who were responsible for selecting the winners across various categories.
Personality of the Year: Indian actor Vikrant Massey, celebrated for his performances in films like 12th Fail, was honored with the Personality of the Year award. His talent and commitment to the art of cinema were highlighted during the ceremony.
Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film: Navjyot Bandiwadekar received the award for Best Debut Director for his Marathi film Gharat Ganpati.
ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal: Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin’s Crossing won the prestigious ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal 2024, a special award for films that promote peace, non-violence, and human rights. The film delves into themes of class, gender, and sexuality.
Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award: Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce was honored with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional career in cinema.
Complete List of IFFI 2024 Winners:
- Golden Peacock (Best Film): Toxic (Lithuanian language)
Directed by Saulė Bliuvaitė, Toxic is a raw coming-of-age story set amidst toxic physical and social landscapes. - Best Actress: Vesta Matuliyte and Iva Rupeikaite (Toxic)
The two actresses were honored for their roles in this poignant coming-of-age film. - Best Actor: Clément Faveau (Holy Cow)
Faveau received the award for his standout performance in Holy Cow, a film exploring the life of an 18-year-old. - Best Director: Bogdan Muresanu (The New Year That Never Came)
The Romanian director won for his film that explores the complexities of life during turbulent times. - Special Jury Award: Louise Courvoisier (Holy Cow)
Courvoisier received the Special Jury Award for her delightful debut feature, Holy Cow, which is a coming-of-age comedy-drama. - Special Mention (Best Actor Male): Adam Besa (Who Do I Belong To)
Besa earned the Special Mention for his performance in Who Do I Belong To, a film about maternal love and identity. - Best Web Series: Lampan (Marathi language)
The Marathi web series Lampan won the award for its exploration of community, identity, and self-empowerment. - Best Debut Feature Film Director: Sarah Friedland (Familiar Touch)
American filmmaker Sarah Friedland received the award for her unique film blending dance and cinema.
The closing ceremony marked the successful conclusion of the 55th IFFI, with these awards celebrating creativity and excellence in global cinema.
