Panaji, Goa: The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is set to honor first-time filmmakers through its prestigious Best Debut Feature Film of a Director award. This year’s selection features five international and two Indian films, reflecting bold new visions and diverse storytelling.
The winner will receive the coveted Silver Peacock, a ₹10 lakh cash prize, and a commendation. Esteemed jury members, chaired by Indian filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, include Singaporean director Anthony Chen, American-British producer Elizabeth Karlsen, Spanish producer Fran Borgia, and Australian editor Jill Bilcock.
Competing Films
International Entrants:
- Betânia (Marcelo Botta, Brazil): A tribute to Brazil’s ancestral heritage, exploring ecology, community, and queerness, inspired by Maria do Celso’s fight for energy access in an isolated village.
- Bound in Heaven (Huo Xin, China): A romance-crime drama delving into violence, mortality, and kinship, awarded Best Cinematography at San Sebastián International Film Festival 2024.
- Bring Them Down (Christopher Andrews, UK): Set in rural Ireland, this thriller captures generational trauma and familial strife within a shepherding family.
- Familiar Touch (Sarah Friedland, USA): A poignant exploration of aging, identity, and desire through the life of an octogenarian, awarded at the Venice International Film Festival.
- To A Land Unknown (Mahdi Fleifel, Lebanon): A powerful refugee drama examining displacement and survival, premiered at Cannes Film Festival 2024.
Indian Entrants:
6. Gypsy (Shashi Chandrakant Khandare, India): A Marathi drama portraying a nomadic family’s struggles with hunger, displacement, and survival.
7. 35 Chinna Katha Kaadu (Emani V S Nanda Kishore, India): A Telugu story of a homemaker’s inspiring journey to overcome illiteracy to support her son’s education.
A Platform for Fresh Perspectives
IFFI’s debut competition celebrates emerging talent and showcases the evolving landscape of global cinema. “These films bring compelling narratives and fresh voices to the fore,” said Ashutosh Gowariker.
The festival, to be held in Panaji from November 20-28, promises a grand celebration of cinema’s transformative power. With stories that resonate deeply, IFFI 2024 continues its legacy of nurturing the next generation of filmmakers.
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