India’s IFFI Goa Festival Sets 15-Film Golden Peacock Competition Slate

As a globetrotting cinephile with a penchant for seeking out the most captivating stories from around the world, I find myself thoroughly intrigued by this year’s International Film Festival of India (IFFI) lineup. The fact that nearly half of the competing films are directed by women is not only refreshing but also a testament to the growing influence of diverse voices in cinema.


I am excited to share that I’ve been following the announcements of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), and today, they unveiled their main competition lineup for the prestigious Golden Peacock award. This year, a total of 15 features are in contention, each vying for this honor. Interestingly, nine of these films have been directed by women, which is truly inspiring. The winner will receive an impressive prize purse of INR4 million ($47,000).

Some of the debut productions include “Fear & Trembling,” an Iranian drama by Manijeh Hekmat and Faeze Azizkhani, which delves into the struggles of an older woman battling loneliness. Additionally, there’s “Raavsaheb,” a crime thriller from Nikhil Mahajan, which focuses on the conflict between humans and animals in tribal territories, originating from India.

The slate includes festival circuit standouts like Louise Courvoisier’s “Holy Cow” (France), which nabbed the Un Certain Regard Youth Prize at Cannes 2024, and Saulė Bliuvaitė’s “Toxic” (Lithuania), winner of the Golden Leopard at Locarno 2024. Bogdan Mureșanu’s Romanian revolution drama “The New Year That Never Came” arrives fresh from winning Venice’s Horizons and FIPRESCI awards.

The lineup features “Gulizar” by Belkis Bayrak (Turkey), a film that has been screened at Toronto and San Sebastian, as well as “Panopticon” by George Sikharulidze (Georgia-U.S.), which garnered a special mention from the Ecumenical Jury at Karlovy Vary. Singapore’s Nelicia Low took home the Best Director award at Karlovy Vary for her psychological thriller “Pierce,” and it is also competing in Goa.

The Indian delegation showcases “The Goat Life” by Blessy, an adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel “Aadujeevitham,” as well as Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s politically charged thriller titled “Article 370.

Among other international entries are films such as “I Am Nevenka” by Iciar Bollaín (Spain), which received the Euskadi Basque Country Award at San Sebastian; “Red Path” by Lotfi Achour (Tunisia); Sophie Deraspe’s Toronto-winning film, “Shepherds” (Canada-France); Jiri Madl’s Czech Oscar entry, “Waves”; and Meryam Joobeur’s premiered work at Berlin, “Who Do I Belong To” (Tunisia-Canada).

Ashutosh Gowariker, a renowned Indian filmmaker known for movies like “Lagaan” and “Swades,” leads the jury panel. Accompanying him are:

From the 20th to the 28th of November, I’ll be immersed in the vibrant world of cinema at a festival held in Goa, India. Prizes will be given out for categories such as Best Film, Best Director, Best Male Actor, Best Female Actor, and Special Jury Prize.

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2024-11-14 06:16