Goa: The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is set to honor cinematic excellence and the enduring principles of Mahatma Gandhi with the presentation of the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal. Celebrating values of peace, non-violence, and intercultural understanding, this prestigious award reflects a collaboration between UNESCO and the International Council for Film, Television, and Audio-visual Communication (ICFT). Today, the jury and representatives of the medal spoke with the press in Goa, underlining the significance of the award in promoting global harmony.
Since its inception in 2015, the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal has become synonymous with films that embody Gandhian ideals. For this 10th anniversary, 10 outstanding films have been shortlisted, showcasing an impressive range of languages, genres, and cultural backgrounds. These films have been celebrated for their themes of peace, social cohesion, and the potential to inspire the youth.
The jury, comprising esteemed film industry leaders, includes Isabelle Danel, Honorary President of FIPRESCI- International Federation of Film Critics; Serge Michel, Vice President of CICT-ICFT; Maria Cristina Iglesias, former head of UNESCO’s Cultural Sector Programme; Dr. Ahmed Bedjaoui, Artistic Director of the Algiers International Film Festival; and Xueyuan Hun, Director of Platform for Creativity and Innovation, CICT-ICFT youth branch.
The panel’s selection process emphasized ethical depth, artistic excellence, and the ability to foster intercultural dialogue. The winner of the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal will be announced during the festival’s closing ceremony tomorrow.
Pankaj Saxena, Artistic Director of NFDC, spoke about the relevance of the award in today’s world, stating, “This medal represents the core values of IFFI. Cinema has the power to bring diverse cultures together, fostering understanding, tolerance, and love. That’s why we are proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this partnership.”
Jury member Xueyuan Hun noted the evolving nature of the collaboration since 2015. She highlighted this year’s lineup, which includes titles such as Crossing, For Rana, Lesson Learned, Meeting with Pol Pot, Satu – Year of the Rabbit, Transamazonia, Unsinkable, Aamar Boss, Juiphool, and Srikanth. “The diversity of storytelling is very inspiring,” Hun said, emphasizing the importance of engaging young audiences through cinema and supporting them with training opportunities.
Manoj Mohan Kadam, the 2017 recipient for Kshitij – A Horizon, added, “It’s heartening to see young filmmakers creating content-driven films that reflect social values.” Referring to the Gandhi Medal’s motto, “in the midst of darkness, light prevails,” Kadam underscored that each film in the competition radiates hope and peace.
Hun further shared that UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has reinforced the importance of cinema in fostering peace and sustainable development. She revealed that ICFT is actively pursuing initiatives to promote storytelling that inspires global harmony.
