The curtains are set to draw on the 24th Pune International Film Festival in a spectacular finale this Thursday. After a week of celebrating global and regional cinema across 10 screens, the festival will culminate at the Balgandharva Rangmandir with a ceremony graced by the State Minister for Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar.
Festival Director Dr. Jabbar Patel announced that three legendary actors will be conferred with the 'PIFF Distinguished Award' for their monumental contributions to Indian cinema. Joining them is a maestro from the world of music who will receive one of the festival's most coveted international honours.
| Recipient | Award | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Biswajit Chatterjee | PIFF Distinguished Award | Veteran Actor & Film Legend |
| Farida Jalal | PIFF Distinguished Award | Acclaimed Character Actress |
| Asha Kale | PIFF Distinguished Award | Marathi Cinema Icon |
| Amar Haldipur | S.D. Burman International Award | Senior Violinist & Composer |
The highlight of the competition segment remains the Maharashtra Government's Sant Tukaram Awards, which carry financial grants and prestige.
Best International film: The winner of the World Competition will be awarded a cash prize of ₹10 Lakhs.
Best Marathi film: Recognizing local excellence on a global scale, this award carries a prize of ₹5 Lakhs.
The closing ceremony will be a gathering of global cinematic minds, featuring Consul Generals, international juries, and the visionary directors and actors who made the 24th PIFF a resounding successDr. Jabbar Patel
The 24th edition was a collaborative effort between the Pune Film Foundation, the Department of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Maharashtra, and Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari. Since its opening on January 15, the festival has served as a cultural bridge, bringing diverse stories from far-flung regions to the heart of Pune.