Lithuanian director Saulė Bliuvaitė’s film “Toxic” won the best film award at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa. The jury, led by Indian filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, praised the film for its depiction of youth and economic struggles.

Earlier, at the Locarno Film Festival, “Toxic” secured the Golden Leopard for Best Film in the premier International Competition, judged by Austrian director Jessica Hausner, and also won the top award in the First Feature Competition.

A positive review from Variety described “Toxic” as “sobering yet infused with moments of tenderness and humor as female friendship blossoms in a bleak environment,” noting that its “contrast between cold restraint and dynamic action aligns with [the protagonist’s] fluctuating self-identity.”

Romanian filmmaker Bogdan Muresanu received the best director award for “The New Year That Never Came,” a multi-narrative feature set during a revolution. The jury commended his ability to craft a tragicomedy amid social turmoil.

Clément Faveau won the best actor award for his role in the French film “Holy Cow,” directed by Louise Courvoisier, while Adam Bessa received a special mention for his performance in the Tunisian-French-Canadian co-production “Who Do I Belong To?” In a significant joint recognition, Vesta Matulytė and Ieva Rupeikaitė from “Toxic” shared the best actress award for their debut performances.

“Holy Cow” also earned the Special Jury Award, and Sarah Friedland’s “Familiar Touch” was recognized as the best debut feature. The ICFT International Film Prize with UNESCO Gandhi Medal was awarded to Levan Akin’s “Crossing,” which tells the story of an elderly Georgian woman’s quest in Istanbul to find her missing niece.

The international jury comprised filmmaker Anthony Chen, producers Elizabeth Karlsen and Fran Borgia, and editor Jill Bilcock, along with chair Gowariker.

Navjyot Bandiwadekar received the Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film Award for his Marathi-language film “Gharat Ganpati.”

Renowned Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce was honored with the IFFI Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award.

SonyLIV’s “Lampan,” a rural coming-of-age story directed by Nipun Dharmadhikari, won the award for IFFI’s Best Web Series.

The festival, organized by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), wrapped up its 2024 edition on November 28. The concurrent project market, Film Bazaar, took place from November 20 to 24.

Persons

Saulė Bliuvaitė, Ashutosh Gowariker, Jessica Hausner, Bogdan Muresanu, Clément Faveau, Louise Courvoisier, Adam Bessa, Vesta Matulytė, Ieva Rupeikaitė, Sarah Friedland, Levan Akin, Anthony Chen, Elizabeth Karlsen, Fran Borgia, Jill Bilcock, Navjyot Bandiwadekar, Phillip Noyce

Company Names

Variety, SonyLIV, National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Titles

Toxic, The New Year That Never Came, Holy Cow, Who Do I Belong To?, Familiar Touch, Crossing, Gharat Ganpati, Lampan

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