Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey has been riding the popularity tide this year ever since his film 12th Fail launched him into a pan-Indian vision. The choice of his films has since steered from subjects social to entertainers to political. Giving in to the current zeitgeist, Massey has refashioned his image and brand to keep the spotlight on himself. At the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Massey received the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award.
The 55th IFFI came to a close with a grand Closing Ceremony at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa on Thursday, November 28, marking the culmination of nine days of cinematic celebration, featuring over 200 films from 75 countries, and masterclasses and panel discussions featuring prominent industry figures such as Manoj Bajpayee, Ranbir Kapoor, AR Rahman, Pankaj Tripathi, and more.
The Closing Ceremony witnessed reflections and interactions with industry people like director Ramesh Sippy, actor-producer Nivin Pauly and actor Pratik Gandhi. A performance titled "Rhythms of India", traversing the styles of Kathak, Garba, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Manipuri and Pung Cholam Drummers, was the evening's centrepiece.
The Lithuanian drama Toxic won the coveted Best Film Award. While Clément Favreau, Vesta Matulyte and Ieva Rupeikaite bagged the acting honours, Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce was honoured with the prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award. Australia was the Country of Focus at the 55th IFFI.
HERE IS THE LIST OF ALL THE WINNERS AT IFFI 2024:
Best Film
Saulė Bliuvaitė’s directorial debut Toxic picked up the Best Film Award at the 55th International Film Festival of India. The prize carries a cash award of Rs 40 lakh. The Lithuanian drama foregrounds the story of two teens, Marija and Kristina, whose modelling aspirations egg them to dream of an escape from the bleakness of their hometown. They form a unique bond at a local modeling school, where the story takes a dark turn.
Best Actor Female
The Best Actor Female Award was shared by Vesta Matulyte and Ieva Rupeikaite 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.
Best Actor Male
Clément Favreau bagged the award for his performance in the French film Holy Cow, the directorial debut of Louise Courvoisier, a coming-of-age comedy-drama that follows 18-year-old Totone, who is compelled to take on the responsibility of his younger sister.
Best Director
Best Director Award went to Romanian filmmaker Bogdan Muresanu for The New Year That Never Came, a tragicomedy which, set against the backdrop of the 1989 Revolution, unspools over the span of a day, through the lives of its myriad characters and shades of love and fear.
Special Jury Award
The award went to French filmmaker Louise Courvoisier’s directorial debut Holy Cow.
Best Web Series (OTT)
The Marathi series Lampan won the Best Web Series Award. Based on the works of Prakash Narayan Sant. In the series, a little boy navigates the challenges of childhood. Themes of identity, community and empowerment imbue the story.
ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal 2024
Swedish director Levan Akin’s Crossing was awarded the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal. Set in Istanbul, the drama examines class, gender and sexuality, in the transgender community, through retired teacher Lia's eyes, as she sets on a quest to search for her niece Tekla.
Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award
The prestigious Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to acclaimed Australian director Phillip Noyce, known for his exceptional storytelling, in more than 19 feature films (Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, The Quiet American).
Best Debut Feature Film of a Director
Familiar Touch by American filmmaker Sarah Friedland was declared the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director. An octogenarian woman transitions to life in an assisted living facility.
Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film
Navjyot Bandiwadekar took home the Best Debut Director Award for his Marathi film Gharat Ganpati. It stars Nikita Dutta, Bhushan Pradhan, Ajinkya Deo, Ashwini Bhave, Sanjay Mone, Shubhangi Latkar, and Shubhangi Gokhale. Set in the picturesque Konkan region, the film depicts the Gharat family’s tradition of celebrating Gauri Ganpati festival.
The closing ceremony was graced by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Vikrant Massey, Pratik Gandhi and Rashmika Mandanna. And also Shriya Saran, Sukumar, Dil Raju, Rupali Ganguly, Ritwik Bhowmik, Mame Khan, Amaal Mallik. Although Telugu superstar Allu Arjun was announced as a guest for the event, he withdrew at the last minute.
The festival concluded with the Slovakian film Dry Season, directed by Bohdan Sláma, as the closing film.
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