IFFK 2024: Brazil’s Malu named Best Film; Payal Kapadia honoured with Spirit of Cinema award

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The Fasil Muhammed directorial, in the meantime, swept multiple honours, including those constituted by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Film Centre (NETPAC) and International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), along with the Audience Poll award. The NETPAC awards were given to Feminist Fathima for Best Malayalam Film and Me, Maryam, the Children and 26 Others for Best Asian Film, with director Midhun Murali’s Kiss Wagon earning a Special Jury Mention. The FIPRESCI awards recognised Feminist Fathima as the Best International Film and director Sivaranjini J’s Victoria as the Best Malayalam Film. The KR Mohanan Award for Best Debut Director from India, established by the Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI), was awarded to Indu Lakshmi for Appuram, while Feminist Fathima received the FFSI Special Mention.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Pinarayi Vijayan noted that the 29th edition of IFFK had earned widespread recognition for its focus on women-centric politics. “Of the 177 films screened, 40 were directed by women. I am proud that this festival has also become a symbol of our unity,” he said. Highlighting that the festival paid tribute to PK Rosy, the first actress in Malayalam cinema, with its signature film, the Chief Minister emphasised that the IFFK stands in solidarity with the rights of the oppressed and the marginalised.

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While addressing the gathering, Payal Kapadia, whom Kerala State Chalachithra Academy (KSCA) chairman Premkumar introduced as “the iron lady of Pune FTII (Film and Television Institute of India),” remarked: “I made a movie in Malayalam, which was a crazy idea; but I got a lot of help from people here.”

“The Spirit of Cinema Award will be a great inspiration to create more socially relevant films. I am immensely proud of the support this film has received in Kerala and I accept this recognition with immense happiness. The actresses in my film have already won numerous awards. Now, I feel happy to share this joy with them,” Payal added.

She also extended her congratulations to Feminist Fathima for its multiple award wins.

In his address, Minister for Revenue and Housing K Rajan highlighted that movie-watching is both a cultural and political act. He also praised the festival organisers for initiating a blood donation campaign named Cine Blood.

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Notable attendees at the closing ceremony included KSCA Chairman Premkumar, Director of Cultural Affairs Divya S Iyer, Armenian filmmakers Serge Avedikian and Nora Armani, IFFK festival curator Golda Sellam, French cinematographer and chairperson of the international jury for the competition section at IFFK 2024 Agnès Godard, K Madhupal from the Kerala State Cultural Activists Welfare Fund Board, KSCA General Council member Sohan Seenulal and KSFDC Managing Director Priyadarshan.

This year’s IFFK showcased 177 films from 68 countries across 15 theatres in the capital city. The festival opened on December 13 with the Portuguese political biographical drama I’m Still Here (2024) and unfolded over eight days under the theme of “intersectionality,” reflected in its logo and branding. The inaugural ceremony, with Bollywood icon Shabana Azmi as the chief guest, saw renowned Hong Kong (SAR PRC) filmmaker Ann Hui receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.