The Lithuanian film Toxic, written and directed by Saule Bliuvaite, claimed the prestigious Golden Peacock Award at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, as the global cinematic celebration concluded on November 28. The film explores the intense experiences of two 13-year-old girls attending a modeling school that tests their physical and emotional boundaries. This compelling narrative also earned the Best Actor (Female) award jointly for Vesta Matulyte and Leva Rupeikaite.
Romanian filmmaker Bogdan Muresanu received the Best Director award for The New Year That Never Came. The Indian Film Personality of the Year accolade was awarded to actor Vikrant Massey. Additionally, the Best Actor (Male) award went to Clement Faveau for his performance in the French film Holy Cow, which also won the Special Jury Award.
The festival, chaired by Indian filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar, showcased over 200 films from 75 countries. Other notable honors included the Best Debut Feature Film Award for Sarah Friedland’s Familiar Touch and the Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film Award for Navjyot Bandiwadekar’s Marathi movie Gharat Ganapati. Celebrated Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce received the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award.
Held at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, the event concluded with a vibrant mix of screenings, masterclasses, and panel discussions, cementing IFFI’s reputation as a significant platform for international cinema.
(By Ankita Singh, Web Team at C6N)
 in Goa, as the global cinematic celebration concluded on November 28.){kind=link}