The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), held in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2025, concluded with a memorable celebration of global cinema, cultural diversity, and creative excellence. The festival—which has long stood as one of Asia’s most prestigious cinematic gatherings—closed on a remarkable note with Vietnamese filmmaker Ash Mayfair’s Skin of Youth winning the coveted Golden Peacock for Best Feature Film. Alongside the international competition’s top honours, the festival recognised groundbreaking performances, visionary direction, and extraordinary contributions to cinema, culminating in a touching tribute to Indian superstar Rajinikanth for his 50-year journey in films.

‘Skin of Youth’ Wins Big: A Poignant Vietnamese Drama Takes the Golden Peacock

The highlight of IFFI 2025’s awards night was the announcement of Skin of Youth as the Best Feature Film. Directed by acclaimed Vietnamese filmmaker Ash Mayfair, the film captivated the jury with its emotionally rich storytelling and powerful character arcs. According to Variety, the narrative revolves around the tumultuous romance between San, a transgender sex worker yearning for gender-affirming surgery, and Nam, an underground cage fighter struggling to raise his son. Their intersecting paths form a raw, intimate portrait of identity, survival, and love in a world that offers little compassion.

Mayfair’s win marks another milestone in her international career, with Skin of Youth being praised for its sensitive portrayal of marginalized communities and its striking cinematic craft. The Golden Peacock underscores IFFI’s commitment to honouring bold, boundary-pushing world cinema that amplifies unheard voices.

Santosh Davakahar Bags Best Director for Marathi Thriller ‘Gondhal’

India shone brightly at the ceremony as Santosh Davakahar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director for his Marathi thriller Gondhal. The win is significant not only for Davakahar’s career but also for regional Indian cinema, which continues to attract global attention for its rooted storytelling and artistic innovation. Gondhal, a gripping thriller that has stirred excitement within the Indian film community, earned Davakahar praise for his tight narrative control, atmospheric direction, and ability to build tension without sacrificing character depth.

Additionally, the festival recognised fresh filmmaking talent, with Karan Singh Tyagi receiving the Best Debut Director award for Kesari 2. This Indian feature film stood out for its confident direction and impactful storytelling, marking Tyagi as a promising new voice in the industry.

Outstanding Performances: Ubeimar Rios and Jara Sofija Ostan Win Top Acting Honours

The acting categories at IFFI 2025 celebrated remarkable performances from global cinema. The Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male) was awarded to Ubeimar Rios for his role in the Colombian film A Poet (Un Poeta), directed by Simon Mesa Soto. Rios’s nuanced portrayal impressed the jury, highlighting the actor’s ability to convey emotional depth with remarkable restraint.

In the Best Actor (Female) category, Jara Sofija Ostan claimed the Silver Peacock for her performance in the Slovenian film Little Trouble Girls. Her compelling screen presence and layered interpretation of her character earned her strong acclaim. Variety reported that both acting awards also came with a cash prize of ₹10 lakh, a tradition that reinforces IFFI’s mission to support and encourage artistic excellence worldwide.

‘Safe House’ Wins ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal for Promoting Peace and Humanity

One of the festival’s most prestigious honours—the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal—was awarded to the Norwegian film Safe House, directed by Eirik Svensson. The film stood out for its strong thematic commitment to peace, non-violence, and intercultural understanding. As highlighted in a release by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Safe House is set over a tense 15-hour period inside a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Bangui, Central African Republic, during the 2013 civil war.

Inspired by real events, the film immerses viewers in the ethical struggles of humanitarian workers who are forced to make life-altering decisions amid conflict. Its real-time narrative structure and deeply humane perspective were praised for shedding light on the courage, responsibility, and moral dilemmas of those working in war zones. The award was received on behalf of director Svensson by Manouj Kadaamh, a representative of ICFT-UNESCO Paris, and was presented by Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

‘Bandish Bandits’ Season 2 Wins Best Web Series (OTT)

OTT content continues to be a thriving space in Indian storytelling, and at IFFI 2025, the critically acclaimed Bandish Bandits Season 2 earned the Best Web Series (OTT) award. The series, directed by Anand Tiwari and created by Amritpal Singh Bindra and Tiwari, triumphed over a competitive shortlist. According to the official press release, the jury unanimously selected the series for “making arts and music accessible to all,” applauding its seamless blend of classical music, modern narrative style, and emotional authenticity.

The creators, Bindra and Tiwari, received the award from Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, marking another success for Indian original streaming content on the global stage.

Special Jury Award: Akinola Davies Jr. for ‘My Father’s Shadow’

The Special Jury Award at IFFI 2025 was presented to Akinola Davies Jr. for his film My Father’s Shadow, recognising a filmmaker whose vision and craft stood out distinctly among international entries. Davies Jr.’s cinematic voice and the film’s unique approach to storytelling were highlighted by the jury as exceptional contributions to the festival lineup.

Full List of IFFI 2025 Winners

• Best Film: Skin of Youth – Director: Ash Mayfair

• Best Director: Santosh Davakahar for Gondhal

• Best Actor (Male): Ubeimar Rios for A Poet (Un Poeta)

• Best Actor (Female): Jara Sofija Ostan for Little Trouble Girls

• Best Web Series (OTT): Bandish Bandits 2

• Special Jury Award: Akinola Davies Jr. for My Father’s Shadow

• ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal: Safe House

A Night to Remember: Rajinikanth Felicitated for 50 Years in Cinema

One of the most emotional and momentous highlights of the closing ceremony was the heartfelt tribute to Indian cinema’s legendary icon Rajinikanth, fondly known as Thalaivar. The superstar was felicitated for completing 50 glorious years in the film industry—a journey that spans more than 170 films across Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada cinema.

The honour was presented by Shri Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, accompanied by Dr. L. Murugan, Shri Sanjay Jaju, and actor Ranveer Singh. Rajinikanth, recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2000), Padma Vibhushan (2016), and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2020), expressed heartfelt gratitude to the central government and the festival authorities.

Reflecting on his career, the superstar shared an emotional sentiment: “Even if there are 100 births, I would like to be born as Rajinikanth.”
He added that although half a century has passed, it feels like just a decade because of his enduring love for cinema and acting.

The felicitation not only celebrated Rajinikanth’s personal milestone but also acknowledged his widespread influence on Indian pop culture and the millions of fans who continue to adore him across generations.

IFFI: A Legacy of Celebrating Global Cinema

Established in 1952, the International Film Festival of India stands today as South Asia’s oldest and largest film festival. Jointly organised by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), IFFI has evolved into a global platform where creative minds converge to celebrate storytelling in all its forms.

Every year, the festival curates a vibrant mix of restored classics, experimental films, international competitions, cultural showcases, masterclasses, and special tributes. One of its key attractions, the energetic WAVES Film Bazaar, continues to be a thriving hub for filmmaking collaborations and industry deals.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Goa, the 56th edition exemplified IFFI’s mission of championing diverse voices, innovative narratives, and cinematic excellence from around the world.

A Fitting Finale to Nine Days of Cinematic Brilliance

Over nine days, IFFI 2025 brought together filmmakers, artists, technicians, and cinema enthusiasts from across the globe. From screenings and panel discussions to premieres and cultural events, the festival offered a dynamic space for both celebration and reflection. The closing ceremony, held at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, served as a spectacular finale—honouring achievements, inspiring creators, and setting the stage for yet another year of cinematic evolution.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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