IFFI 2024: Lithuanian Film ‘Toxic’ Bags Coveted Golden Peacock Award. Checkout Other Winners

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 Bliuvaite, clinching the prestigious Golden Peacock Award. The nine-day cinematic celebration brought together an array of global films, leaving audiences and industry professionals inspired.

Toxic also earned accolades in the acting category, with Vesta Matulyte and Leva Rupeikaite jointly winning the Best Actor (Female) award. The film, which delves into the challenging journey of two 13-year-old girls navigating a grueling modeling school, stood out in the international competition section for its gripping narrative and stellar performances.

Romanian director Bogdan Muresanu won the Best Director Award 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 contributions to the industry.

IFFI 2024 jury

The festival’s jury, led by renowned Indian filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, judged 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 legendary filmmaker Ramesh Sippy.

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

Honoring Indian talent

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

The Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce in recognition of his illustrious career. This honor included 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 veterans, creating a rich learning experience for attendees.