PANAJI
France may have been the country of focus at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) but when it ended on Monday evening with a glittering closing ceremony, it was Spain and Costa Rica too that walked away with the honours.
The prestigious 'Golden Peacock' for the best film of the festival was clinched by the Spanish film 'Tengo sueños eléctricos' (I have electric dreams).
While the film is Spanish, its director Valentina Maurel is a Costa Rican film maker.
Other awards of IFFI 2022 which were announced and presented at the closing ceremony on Monday included Iranian Nader Saeivar, who bagged the Silver Peacock for the Best Director, for his film No End. The film's lead actor Vahid Mobasseri, also earned the 'Silver peacock' for the best actor (male).
The 'Silver Peacock' for Best Actor (female) was won by Daniela Marín Navarro who was the lead actor of the Golden Peacock winning Best Film ‘I Have Electric Dreams’.
Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz got the Special Jury Award for her film 'When the Waves are Gone' (Kapag wala nang mga alon) and the best debut feature film award was won Asimina Proedrou for 'Behind The Haystacks'.
Director, writer and cinematographer Praveen Kandregula received Special Mention by the Jury for his film Cinema Bandi.
Earlier, screening of the International Premiere of veteran Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Zanussi’s film, Perfect Number, brought the curtains down on the 9-day film extravaganza.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur who presided over the ceremony said, "IFFI not only entertained but also educated us."
Thakur said the world of cinema is bustling with raw talent, finding its voice from theatre schools, small production houses and the hinterland of India.
The platforms are new, whether it is short films on our mobile devices, movies on the go, or binge watching on OTT (over-the-top). We are seeing incredible talent being recognised, enthralling audiences and doing great business too, he said, drawing similarities with sports leagues that have brought raw talent to the fore in cricket, kabbadi and hockey.
Over 280 films from across the globe were screened over the nine days since November 20.
"The strength of IFFI is increasing every year," Thakur said, adding that he is hopeful it will be grander and help globalise regional content.
"We reciprocated our Cannes Country of Honour status by welcoming France as Country of Focus, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties with France," Thakur said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan also attended the ceremony.
Bollywood celebrities Asha Parekh, Ayushman Khurana, Manushi Chhillar, Esha Gupta, Rana Duggubati, Anand Rai and Akshay Kumar added star power to the event where Telugu Star Chiranjeevi was presented the 'Indian Film Personality of the Year' award.
The award to Chiranjeevi was announced by Thakur at the opening ceremony on November 28.
