As the sun set over the river Mandovi, the 50th edition of the International film Festival of India (IFFI) rolled out the red carpet for the closing ceremony on Thursday. The spectacular, star-studded closing ceremony brought the eight day festivities of 200-odd screenings, masterclasses, in-conversation sessions to a fitting climax.
The closing ceremony brought a stellar line-up of the national, international and regional industry’s leading names. Present were Ilayaraja, Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, Hindi filmmaker Rohit Shetty, Ramesh Sippy, actress Elena Fernandes, Rakul Preet Singh, Patrycja Planik, actress from Lillian, Curiosa film director Lou Jeunet, Head of Jury John Bailey and Carol Littleton, jury member Robin Campilo, Prasonjit Chatterjee, Vijay Devarkonda and others. The grand finale was hosted by actors Kunal Kapoor and Sonali Kulkarni.
Amit Khare, secretary, I & B Ministry, Government of India, while speaking at the closing ceremony, announced that, the 2020 and 2021 edition of IFFI will focus on India’s legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray to mark his centenary celebrations.
About the 50th edition, he added, “I feel elated that this prestigious edition had more than 190 films from 76 countries and 90 Indian premieres. It is a matter of pride that the organisers received 24 Oscar submission films and more than 10,000 delegates.”
In terms of international participation, IFFI saw majority delegates from UK, USA, Sri Lanka and UAE. Within the country, majority of the delegates came from Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
The closing film was Marghe and Her Mother by noted filmmaker Moshen Makhmalbaf. The team thanked IFFI and spoke about how they were introduced to India through the films of Satyajit Ray.
The new additions this year brought old classics from the past festivals in the Golden Lining section. The sidelines also had the Open Forums that provided platform for filmmakers, and enthusiasts to discuss and share ideas.
A series of spectacular dance performances choreographed by Tanushree Shankar on the theme of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat that aims at creating an environment to celebrate regional identity, took the audience through India’s rich traditions.
The awards
Best Film: Golden Peacock went to Particles (directed by Blaise Harrison and producer Estelle Fialon)
Best Debut Film: Silver Peacock went to Monsters by Marius Olteanu; About Leila by Amin Sidi-Boumediene
IFFI Best Actor Award (Male): Seu Jorge, for his role in Marigela
IFFI Best Actor Award (Female): Usha Jadhav for Mai Ghat, Crime No 103/2005
IFFI Best Director Award: Lijo Jose Pellissery for Jallikattu
Special Jury Award: Balloon by Pema Tseden for
Special Mention Award: Hellaro by Abhishek Shah
ICFT UNESCO Special Mention: Bahattar Hoorain
ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal: Rwanda by Riccardo Salvetti
