3 min readPanajiUpdated: Nov 29, 2025 05:58 AM IST
IFFI has grown in size and ambition. However, to create a remarkable international impact, the festival needs to develop a distinct vibe with cinema firmly at its core
Vietnamese film ‘Skin of Youth’, directed by Ash Mayfair, won the Best Feature Film award at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa.
The director of the transgender drama bagged the ‘Golden Peacock’ at the festival’s closing ceremony held at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium on Friday evening. Set in the 90s Saigon, the film explores the romance between San, a transgender sex worker dreaming of a sex reassignment surgery, and Nam, an underground cage fighter, who fights to support her son.
Praising the film, the jury said, “Captivating from the very first frame, with inspired cinematography and bold production design, the director draws extraordinary performances from the two remarkable leads. Every element—evocative music, skilful editing, and meticulous craft—comes together seamlessly…”
One of the highlights of the closing ceremony was the celebration of actor Rajnikanth’s five decades as a screen actor. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner was honoured by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with a shawl and memento.
“Fifty years feels like 10 or 15 years. Time just flew. Even if I take 100 rebirths, I would like to be born as an actor and as Rajnikanth,” said the 74-year-old superstar, expressing gratitude for the honour.
The festival also paid homage to the artistes who passed away this year with an audio-visual tribute titled, ‘In fond remembrance of the artists we lost’. Dharmendra, Kamini Kaushal, Sulakshana Pandit, Satish Shah, Piyush Pandey, Zubeen Garg and Shyam Benegal were among those remembered at the event.
Other award winners of the evening included Karan Singh Tyagi, who received the Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film Award for Kesari Chapter 2. The jury lauded the cinematic values, historical importance and compelling moments of Indian freedom struggle captured in the film.
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The best director award was won by Santosh Davakhar for the Marathi thriller Gondhal. Norwegian film Safe House, directed by Eirik Svensson, was awarded the ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal.
The Silver Peacock Award was shared by two movies — Iranian film My Daughter’s Hair, directed by Hesam Farahmand, and Estonian film Frank, directed by Tõnis Pill. Nigerian-British Akinola Davies Jr-directed My Father’s Shadow received a special jury award.
Ubeimar Rios got the Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male) for his role in Columbian film A Poet while Jara Sofija Ostan won the Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Female) for her performance in Little Trouble Girls. Directed by Anand Tiwari, Bandish Bandits Season 2’ was declared the Best Web Series (OTT) for “making arts and music accessible to all”.
A number of prominent film personalities, including Ranveer Singh, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Ravi Kishan and Ramesh Sippy, were present at the ceremony.
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Another highlight of the ceremony was the Northeast Cultural Showcase, curated by Ranjit Gogoi, which celebrated the region’s contribution to Indian cinema as well as its cultural distinctiveness.
The screening of the international section ended with Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke-directed A Useful Ghost, which is Thailand’s official Oscar entry and the Grand Prix winner at Cannes.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
