IFFI Goa 2025, 08: Prizes and surprises

IFFI Goa 2025, 08: Prizes and surprises

Vietnamese film Skin of Youth, written and directed by Ashleigh Mayfair, was adjudged the best feature film in the International Competition section, thereby bagging the prestigious Golden Peacock in 56th IFFI, which concluded on the 28th of November in Panaji, Goa. Ashleigh, who hates being called Ashleigh, and prefers ‘Ash’, has highlighted the problem of trans-gender persons in her country, using a real life story, with the protagonist played by a real trans-gender individual. Both were present at IFFI. Ash’s interest in the subject was aroused by the fact that in her own family, there was a trans-gender person. In VietNam, trans-gender operations are illegal, and it would cost USD 15,000 to get such operations performed in other countries. In this part of the world, we hear a lot about trans-gender persons in Thailand, called Lady-Boys., but the condition is not unique to Thailand.

The film is a good effort, but not good enough to bag the coveted prize. The Jury, however, thought otherwise. In their citation, they said, “With its compelling narrative, the film delivers a powerful message—to humanise, to illuminate, and to challenge silence. All elements of the film came together beautifully with good music and skillful editing. The Jury defined the film as - bold and brave, stunning and stylish. The love and sacrifice shown in the film informs us of a life few of us will know, and hence the film will live long in our minds.”

Santosh Davakhar, director of Marathi feature Gondhal earned the Silver Peacock for the Best Director. A film I did not see, it was set against the rich fabric of cultural tradition, prompting the Jury to declare that “Director Santosh Davakhar has given birth to a cinematic gem. A captivating narrative that keeps us on edge, surprising us beyond our wildest imagination. Gondhal is like a Shakespearean fable, set in a real world.

The lead actor of Spanish film, A Poet, Ubeimar Rios was honoured with the Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male) award. This film too was on my ‘missed’ list, but found itself on the hit list of the Jury. “The film explores the age-old clash between Art and Survival, but in a unique and unexpected way. The film showcased a brilliant first time performance from actor Ubeimar Rios, who portrays a suffering, defeated poet, in a serious emotional crisis, until he meets a talented teenager, who changes his life. The film, and Ubeimar’s portrayal, are supremely uplifting and ultimately wonderfully redeeming.”

A Slovenian entry, Little Trouble Girls was like a documentary on Biblical metaphors and Christian religious choirs. It had its moments, but will appeal more to followers of the Bible, definition of sin, the orders of nuns and the temptations of the flesh. The leading actor played a confused teenager, whose confusion was never really explained. Nevertheless, it brought Jara Sofija Ostan the Silver Peacock for Best Female Actor for her remarkably subtle and deeply expressive performance. The Jury applauded her acting skills by citing that much is said through the simplest, most truthful, tiniest expressions and extremely delicate gestures." Jara was not present, and the ward was accepted by her producer.

British-Nigerian film maker Akinola Davies Jr. was honoured with the Special Jury Award for the film My Father’s Shadow. An amateurish film, it could not hold my interest for more than 20 minutes. However, the director and the screenplay writer were applauded by the Jury, who said that “Intimate moments and small gestures are at the heart of this film’s warm embrace.” Well, maybe these moments surfaced in the latter part of the film.

Iranian film-maker Hesam Farahmand, for his debut film My Daughter’s Hair (Iranian title Raha, after the name of the lead actress in the film), and Estonian film-maker Tõnis Pill, for his debut feature Fränk, were declared joint winners of the Best Debut Film of a Director Award. I saw My Daughter’s Hair, and was impressed by its choice of subject. The character of the father was ill-defined, but the issues it raised did reflect contemporary Iranian society. The story took unexpected turns at least twice, and lacked maturity. But then, it would be too much to expect maturity form a first-time director. The Jury praised both the films, which, they cited “stood tall, and were equally struck them by their brilliance.”

Karan Singh Tyagi, Director of Hindi film Kesari Chapter 2 received ‘Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film Award’ award while the Best Web Series (OTT) award went to the team of Bandish Bandits Season 2. The Jury felt that “the story of the web series makes music and art accessible for all.”

Norwegian film Safe House won the Prestigious ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal, “for its outstanding contribution to cinema that promotes peace, non-violence, and inter-cultural dialogue.​” No comments, as I did not see any of these films.