The 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was brought to an end after a nine day long event on Monday, in Goa, with a special closing award ceremony. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, graced their presence on the closing ceremony when the best performers were being felicitated. Among the slot, Spanish drama I have Electric Dreams witnessed the big win in the Best Film category, adding to it Vahid Mobasheri and Daniela Marin Navarro won the best actors.
Listed below is the consolidated list of winners at the 53rd IFFI, 2022, in Goa:
Best Film- I Have Electric Dreams
Best Actor (Female)- Daniela Marin Navarro, for I Have Electric Dreams
Best Actor (Male)- Vahid Mobasheri, for No End
Best Director – Nader Saeivar, for No End
Best Debut Feature Film Of A Director – Asimina Proedrou, for Behind the Haystacks
Special Jury Award – Lav Diaz, for When The Waves Are Gone
Special Mention To A Debut Feature Film Of A Director – Praveen Kandregula, for Cinema Bandi
ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal – Payam Eskandar, for Nargesi
Indian Film Personality of the Year – Chiranjeevi
At the award ceremony, Anurag Singh Thakur averred, “IFFI not only entertained but also educated us. IFFI opened up a nuanced world of cinema for audiences across the region, both young and old, new and festival veterans. We reciprocated our Cannes Country of Honour status by welcoming France as Country of Focus, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties with France and also India celebrating 75 years of India’s independence.”
“The advent of different streams of cinema, propelled affordable handsets and cheaper data prices is leaping ahead on sheer individual talent to showcase powerful and captivating stories to the world,” the minister further added.
The inception of this film festival was at 1952, and since thereon the IFFI has been conducted annually with an aim to provide a platform to the cinema and celebrate the best of it across the globe. Over a period of 9 days around 280 films from 79 countries were screened.