55th International Film Festival of India Unveils Competitive Lineup
The 55th iteration of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has revealed its primary competition roster. Fifteen distinctive features are in the race for the prestigious Golden Peacock award, which offers an attractive prize purse of INR4 million ($47,000). The lineup is particularly noteworthy for featuring nine films helmed by female directors.
World premieres at the festival include the Iranian drama “Fear & Trembling” by Manijeh Hekmat and Faeze Azizkhani, which looks into the struggles of an ageing woman grappling with loneliness. Nikhil Mahajan’s “Raavsaheb,” an Indian crime thriller, delves into the contentious issue of man-animal conflict in tribal regions.
The competition slate also boasts of festival circuit favorites like “Holy Cow” by Louise Courvoisier of France, recipient of the Un Certain Regard Youth Prize at Cannes 2024, and “Toxic” by Saulė Bliuvaitė of Lithuania, the Golden Leopard winner at Locarno 2024. Adding to the diverse mix is the Romanian revolution drama, “The New Year That Never Came” by Bogdan Mureșanu, fresh off its victories at Venice’s Horizons and FIPRESCI awards.
Belkis Bayrak’s “Gulizar” from Turkey, a participant at Toronto and San Sebastian, and George Sikharulidze’s “Panopticon” from Georgia-U.S., recipient of a special mention from the Ecumenical Jury at Karlovy Vary, are also part of the lineup. Nelicia Low from Singapore lands a spot in the Goa competition with her psychological thriller “Pierce,” for which she won Best Director at Karlovy Vary.
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The Indian representation includes Blessy’s “The Goat Life,” an adaptation of the bestseller “Aadujeevitham,” and the political thriller “Article 370” by Aditya Suhas Jambhale.
The international entries feature Iciar Bollaín’s “I Am Nevenka” from Spain, winner of the Euskadi Basque Country Award at San Sebastian, Lotfi Achour’s “Red Path” from Tunisia, Sophie Deraspea’s “Shepherds” from Canada-France, which won in Toronto, Jiri Madl’s Czech Oscar entry “Waves,” and Meryam Joobeur’s Berlin premiere “Who Do I Belong To” from Tunisia-Canada.
The jury comprises veteran Indian filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, known for his works “Lagaan” and “Swades,” Singaporean director Anthony Chen who won the Cannes Camera d’Or for “Ilo Ilo,” British-American producer Elizabeth Karlsen of “Carol” and “The Crying Game” fame, Spanish producer Fran Borgia behind “A Land Imagined” and “Stranger Eyes,” and Australian editor Jill Bilcock known for her work in “Moulin Rouge!” and “Romeo + Juliet.”
The festival will take place from November 20 to 28 in Goa, India. Accolades will be presented for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Male), Best Actor (Female), and Special Jury Prize.
FAQs
Q: When and where is the 55th International Film Festival of India taking place?
A: The festival will run from November 20 to 28 in Goa, India.
Q: What awards will be presented at the festival?
A: Awards will be presented for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Male), Best Actor (Female), and Special Jury Prize.
Q: How many films are competing for the Golden Peacock award?
A: Fifteen features are in the lineup for the award, with nine of them directed by women.
Q: Who are some of the notable directors and films in the competition?
A: Notable entries include “Fear & Trembling” by Manijeh Hekmat and Faeze Azizkhani, “Raavsaheb” by Nikhil Mahajan, “Holy Cow” by Louise Courvoisier, and “Toxic” by Saulė Bliuvaitė.
Credit: variety.com
