Golden Thread bags the prestigious Golden Conch award at MIFF 2024

The 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2024 came to an end on 21 June 2024 with the conferring of the awards to the various winners in different categories. Nistha Jain’s ‘Golden Thread’ film won the prestigious Golden Conch award for the best documentary at the 18th MIFF 2024.

Earlier noted wildlife filmmaker Subbiah Nallamuthu was conferred with the 18th V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award at the inauguration of the 18th MIFF 2024.

The 18th biennial MIFF 2024 was organised by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and executed by the National Film Development Corporation at Mumbai from 15 to 21 June 2024.

The festival showcases documentaries, short films and animations. 

Award Winner at the 18th MIFF 2024

The awards at the 18th MIFF 2024 were given in five sections: International, National, Sponsored, Special and Technical.

International Competition Award Section

Golden Conch Award for the Best Documentary: 

Golden Thread documentary film directed by Nistha Jain. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs, a citation and a Golden Conch as a trophy.

Best International Short Fiction Film: 

Sour Milk, directed by Vera Pirogova of Estonia.

The award carries a Silver Conch as a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs.

Best International Animation Film: 

Zima’, directed by Tomek Popakul, Kasumi Ozeki of  Poland .The award carries a Silver Conch as a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs.

Pramod Pati Award For Most Innovative / Experimental Film (Director): 

‘The Old Young Crow’, directed by Liam Lopinto of Japan.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and a trophy.

Special Jury Mention:

‘Lovely Jackson’, directed by Matt Waldeck of the United States of America. The winner gets a trophy and a cash prize of Rs one Lakh.

National Competition Awards Section

Best Indian Documentary Film (above 60 minutes): 

‘6-A Akash Ganga’ directed by Nirmal Chander Dandriyal. The award carries a silver conch as a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs.

Best Indian Short Fiction Film (up to 30 minutes duration):

‘Salt’ directed by Barkha Prashant Naik. The award a silver conch as a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs.

Best Indian Animation Film: 

‘Nirjara’, directed by Gaurav Pati. The award consists of a silver conch trophy and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs.

Special Jury Mention: 

‘A Coconut Tree’ directed by Joshy Benedict.

Sponsored Awards Section

Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari Award for Best Debut Director: 

Sreemoyee Singh. The winner is given a trophy and prize money of Rs 1 lakh.

FIPRESCI International Critic Jury Award:

Sreemoyee Singh for her film ‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’.

IDPA Award for Best Student Film:

'Chanchisoa (Expectation)' directed by Elvachisa Ch Sangma and Dipankar Das. The award winner gets a trophy and Rs one lakh as a cash prize.

Special Award Section

Best short film made on “India in Amrit Kaal” (up to 15 min.)”  

Life in Loom, directed by Edmond Ranson. The award winner gets prize money of Rs one lakh, a trophy and a certificate.

Technical Award Section

Best Cinematographer: 

‘Babin Dulal’ (Nepal)  for the film ‘Dhorpatan: No Winter Holidays’  and  Suraj Thakur (India)  for the film ‘Entangled.’ The award carries a cash prize of Rs three lakhs, a trophy and a certificate.

Best Editor: 

Vignesh Kumulai for the film ‘Karparaa’  and Irene Dhar Mallik for the film ‘From the Shadows. 

The award winner gets a prize money of Rs three lakhs, a trophy and a certificate.

Best Sound Designer: 

Niraj Gera for the film ‘The Golden Thread’ and Abhijit Sarkar for the film ‘Dhara Ka Tem.’ 

The award winner gets a prize money of Rs three lakhs, a trophy and a certificate.