NEW DELHI: The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa. The event celebrated the magic of cinema and the spirit of storytelling, bringing together filmmakers, actors, and cinephiles in a shared appreciation of cinematic art.
The nine-day festival showcased a diverse array of global and Indian cinema, with red-carpet moments, soul-stirring performances, and masterful storytelling. The closing ceremony was a star-studded affair, honoring the finest works of cinema and the artists who made a lasting impact.
The festival concluded with the screening of “Dry Season”, directed by acclaimed Czech filmmaker Bohdan Sláma. The film, which encapsulates the story of humanity, sustainability, and generational bonds, was a fitting end to the cinematic celebration.
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The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious awards. Lithuanian film “Toxic” won the Golden Peacock for Best Feature Film. Director Saulė Bliuvaitė and producer Giedre Burokaite shared the award, which includes a trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs. 40,00,000. The Jury praised “Toxic” for its empathetic exploration of adolescence in an economically deprived society.
Romanian director Bogdan Muresanu received the Silver Peacock for Best Director for his film “The New Year That Never Came”. Muresanu was honored for his exceptional production design and ensemble performances, receiving a trophy, certificate, and a cash prize of Rs. 15,00,000.
The ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal was awarded to “Crossing” by Levan Akin, celebrating its promotion of peace, tolerance, and dialogue. Iconic Indian director Ramesh Sippy and celebrated actor Jaya Prada were felicitated for their contributions to Indian cinema.
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Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant praised the efforts of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and NFDC, highlighting initiatives like the Film Bazaar and the IFFI parade, which showcased Goa culture and attracted global attention. CM Sawant said that “This IFFI is unique in terms of many new initiatives like Film Bazaar which were presented in such a revolutionary way that everyone is benefitted by the Film bazaar. This time, we screened movies across the City of Goa for the film lovers to enjoy the films and more than 195 films were screened this year.”
As IFFI 2024 comes to a close, it leaves a lasting legacy of celebrating the joy of cinema and promises new pathways for future filmmakers.