Lithuanian Film 'Toxic' Triumphs With Golden Peacock Award At IFFI 2024

The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) concluded in Goa, celebrating global cinema. Lithuanian film 'Toxic', directed by Saule Bliuvaite, claimed the prestigious Golden Peacock Award. The film tells the story of two young girls at a modelling school that tests their limits. Vesta Matulyte and Leva Rupeikaite shared the Best Actor (Female) award for their roles in this compelling narrative.

Romanian director Bogdan Muresanu received the Best Director Award for "The New Year That Never Came". Meanwhile, Vikrant Massey was honoured with the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award. The jury for the international competition section was chaired by renowned Indian filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar.

Clement Faveau won Best Actor (Male) for his role in the French film "Holy Cow", which also secured the Special Jury Award. American drama "Familiar Touch", directed by Sarah Friedland, earned the Best Debut Feature Film award, showcasing new talent on an international stage.

This year introduced a new category to highlight Indian debut films. Navjyot Bandiwadekar won Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film for Marathi movie "Gharat Ganapati". The best OTT series accolade went to "Lampan", directed by Chinmay Kelkar and Nipun Dharmadhikari.

Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce was honoured with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition included a Silver Peacock Medal, a certificate, a shawl, a scroll, and a cash prize, acknowledging his significant contributions to cinema.

The festival's closing ceremony took place at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium near Panaji. Notable attendees included Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary Sanjay Jaju, and filmmaker Ramesh Sippy.

The event featured over 200 films from 75 countries. It offered masterclasses by industry experts and engaging panel discussions, enriching participants' understanding of global cinema trends.