IFFI 2024, 18: The Toppers, Winners all

IFFI 2024, 18: The Toppers, Winners all

At the 55th International Film festival of India, the following films, and casts, were awarded on the Closing session, held on 28th December 2024, afternoon. Democracy ruled, in that no entry won more than one prize.

• ‘Toxic’, Lithuania, won Golden Peacock, for the Best film, at IFFI 2024. Director, Saulė Bliuvaitė will share the Golden Peacock Trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs. 40,00,000, with the producer, Giedre Burokaite. The Jury praised the film for its deep sensitivity and empathy, with its coming-of-age narrative set against a stark physical and social backdrop.  Toxic emerged us the best film, “For exploring adolescence and the harsh realities of growing up in an economically deprived society, with so much sensitivity and empathy and at the same time creating a coming-of-age narrative against a backdrop of the physical and social landscape," the Jury cited.
• Silver Peacock, and a cash prize of Rs. 15,00,000 along with a certificate, awarded to the most outstanding Director from the International Competition category: Bogdan Muresanu, Romania, for his exceptional work in the film, The New Year that Never Came. The Jury particularly admired the film’s exquisite production design, mise-en-scène, and metaphors that brought the period to life, as well as the stunning ensemble performances. “Creating a tragicomedy is difficult. And to do that during a revolution is even tougher. Bogdan Muresanu succeeds brilliantly in doing just that, by interweaving six stories to portray the life in a country on the brink of a revolution – and he does that armed with exquisite production design, mise-en-scène and metaphors to create the period and complimented by the stunning performances from the ensemble cast.” –  reads the Jury citation.

Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male and Female): Recognising the best performances in leading roles, the awards for Best Actor (Male) and Best Actor (Female) include a Silver Peacock Trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs. 10,00,000 each.

• Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male): Clément Faveau

Clément Faveau took home the Best Actor (Male) award for his nuanced and captivating portrayal in the French film, ‘Holy Cow’. His performance resonated deeply with the Jury, showcasing his remarkable ability to bring authenticity and depth to his character. “For his incredibly natural performance, expressing the emotional ups and downs, while traversing from innocence to maturity,” – cited the Jury.

• Special Mention to Adam Bessa for his incredibly natural performance in ‘Who Do I Belong To?’ Bessa’s portrayal of Bilal was lauded for its emotional depth, transitioning seamlessly from innocence to maturity. Citation of the Jury: “The Jury would also like to make a SPECIAL MENTION for the studied and restrained performance by Adam Bessa, for his portrayal of Bilal, in the Tunisian film, ‘WHO DO I BELONG TO?’
• Silver Peacock - for Best Actor (Female): Vesta Matulytė and Ieva Rupeikaitė

The Best Actress award was jointly given to Vesta Matulytė and Ieva Rupeikaitė “For the extraordinary performances by its two debut making actresses - Vesta Matulyte and Ieva Rupeikaitė – who pushed themselves to their physical and emotional limits in creating the unforgettable characters of Marija and Kristina,” the Jury cited.

• American Director Sarah Friedland bags Best Debut Feature Film award for ‘Familiar Touch’
• Silver Peacock for Special Jury Award: Louise Courvoisier

French Director Louise Courvoisier received the Special Jury Award for her debut film Holy Cow. The Jury praised the film for its universal theme, focusing on the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The film deserves a Special Jury Award, “For creating a universal story on her debut, about what happens when a fun-loving teenager is suddenly thrown into adulthood and has to step up and take control of his life,” the Jury cited.

• American Director Sarah Friedland received the Best Debut Feature Film award, for ‘Familiar Touch’
• Marathi Web Series ‘Lampan’ won Best Web Series (OTT) Award at IFFI 2024, for “its excellence in storytelling, production values, and, most notably, the brilliance in performance by its cast”
• Renowned Australian Director Phillip Noyce, no newcomer to IFFI, was honoured with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, for Pioneering Cinematic Legacy

• Navjyot Bandiwadekar won the Best Debut Director prize, for an Indian Feature Film, for his Marathi film, ‘Gharat Ganpati’ at the 55th International Film Festival of India
• Swedish film-maker Levan Akin’s ‘Crossing’ was awarded the prestigious ICFT - UNESCO Gandhi Medal.

No comments whatsoever, except that two Indian names featured in the above list. Co-incidentally, they both had submitted Marathi films, so they made Maharashtra proud. Also, Toxic was not deserving, based on what little I saw of it. The other winners? I have nothing to say, since I did not get to see these films.