IFFI 2024: The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) concluded on a high note in Goa on Thursday, with Lithuanian film ‘Toxic’ written and directed by Saule Bluewhite winning the prestigious Golden Peacock Award. The nine-day cinematic festival brought together a range of global films that inspired audiences and industry professionals.

Toxic also earned praise in the acting category, with Vesta Matulite and Leva Rupeikaite jointly winning Best Actor (Female). The film, which highlights the challenging journey of two 13-year-old girls at a tough modeling school, stood out in the international competition section for its gripping story and stellar performances.

Romanian director Bogdan Muresanu won best director for his thought-provoking film ‘The New Year That Never Came’. Vikrant Massey was recognized as the Indian Film Personality of the Year, celebrating his contribution to the industry.

IFFI 2024 Jury

The festival’s jury, led by renowned Indian filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar, evaluated the entries in the International Competition section. The closing ceremony held at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium near Panaji was attended by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary Sanjay Jaju and renowned filmmaker Ramesh Sippy.

French actor Clement Faiveau won the Best Actor (Male) award for his remarkable performance in ‘Holy Cow’, which also received a Special Jury Prize. The Best Debut Feature Film award went to ‘Familiar Touch’, an American drama written and directed by Sarah Friedland.

honoring indian talent

Navjyot Bandiwadekar was honored as the Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film in a new award category introduced this year for his Marathi film ‘Gharat Ganapati’. On the OTT front, ‘Lampan’ directed by Chinmay Kelkar and Nipun Dharmadhikari won the Best OTT Series award.

The Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Australian filmmaker Philip Noyce for his illustrious career. The honor consisted of a Silver Peacock Medal, a certificate, a shawl, a scroll and a cash prize, celebrating his extraordinary contribution to the world of cinema.

This year’s IFFI showcased over 200 films from 75 countries, providing a platform for cinematic diversity and creativity. The festival featured masterclasses, panel discussions and interactive sessions led by industry stalwarts, creating a rich learning experience for the attendees.