‘Toxic’ Film bag Golden Peacock Award for Best Film at the 55th IFFI

The 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) came to a close in Goa on 28 November 2024, with the Lithuanian film “Toxic” winning the Golden Peacock for Best Film.

The 55th IFFI was held in Goa from 20-28th November 2024, in which India and foreign films were screened. 

The Director of the 55th IFFI was noted filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.

Organiser of the 55th IFFI

The 55th International Film Festival of India was organised by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Entertainment Society of Goa, Government of Goa.

Since 2002, Goa has been the permanent venue of the annual IFFI.

Who inaugurated the 55th IFFI?

The 55th IFFI was inaugurated by the Goa chief minister, Pramod Sawant, on 20 November 2024. He was also the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the IFFI.

Theme of the 55th IFFI 

The theme of the 55th IFFI was 'Young Filmmakers: The Future is Now.

Opening and closing film of the IFFI

Opening Film of the 55th IFFI - ‘Better Man' by Michael Gracey of Australia..

Closing film- “Dry Season”- Directed by Bohdan Sláma of the Czech Republic.

Award Winners of the 55th IFFI

Following is the list of the award winners at the 55th IFFI.

Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award 

• Australian director Phillip Noyce for his contributions to the cinema.
• Noyce is known for his suspenseful and culturally resonant films, such as Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and Salt.
• Previous recipients include film legends like Martin Scorsese and Bernardo Bertolucci.

Indian Film Personality of the Year

• Actor Vikrant Massey in recognition of Massey’s extraordinary contributions to Indian cinema.

Golden Peacock for Best Feature Film 

• Toxic  (Lithuania)- directed by Saulė Bliuvaitė. 
• She was honoured with a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 15 lakhs.

Silver Peacock for Best Feature Film 

• The New Year That Never Came (Romania) -Directed by  Bogdan Muresanu.
•  He was honoured with a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs.

Silver Peacock Award for Best Actor (Male)

• Clément Faveau (France) for his performance in the French Film Holy Cow. 
• He was honoured with a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs.

Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Female)

• Two actresses, Vesta Matulytė and Ieva Rupeikaitė (both of Lithuania), received the award for the film Toxic. 
• They received a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs, which was split between them.

Special Jury Award 

• Louise Courvoisier (France) for the film ‘Holy Cow.’
• She was honoured with a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 15 lakhs.

Best Debut Feature Film of a Director

• Sarah Friedland(United States)-Film, Familiar Touch. 
• She  was honoured with a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs prize

First Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film 

• This award was introduced for the first time at the 55th IFFI.
•  Navjyot Bandiwadekar- Director of the Marathi Film Gharat Ganpati.

ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal

• The award is given to a film which promotes peace, tolerance, and dialogue.
• Crossing- Directed by Levan Akin of Sweden.

Best Web Series (OTT) Award 

•  ‘Lampan’ (on Sony Liv)-Directed by Nipun Dharmadhikari.