IFFI 2025 winners: Vietnamese drama wins Best Film, Rajinikanth honored
What's the story
The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) concluded in Goa on Friday, with Vietnamese director Ash Mayfair's Skin of Youth winning the Golden Peacock for Best Feature Film. The story centers on San, a transgender sex worker determined to undergo gender-affirming surgery, and Nam, an underground cage fighter striving to provide for his son.
Film accolades
'Skin of Youth' praised for its cinematography and performances
The jury praised Skin of Youth, saying it was "captivating from the very first frame," with "inspired cinematography and bold production design." They added that Mayfair "draws extraordinary performances from the two remarkable leads," and that every element of the film, such as music, editing, and craft, comes together seamlessly. The award comes with a cash prize of ₹40 lakh ($44,800).
Other honors
IFFI celebrates Rajinikanth, 'Bandish Bandits' also won
Santosh Davakhar won the Best Director award for his Marathi thriller Gondhal. Ubeimar Ríos (A Poet) and Jara Sofija Ostan (Little Trouble Girls) took home the Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male) and Best Actor (Female), respectively. Each acting honor comes with a cash reward of ₹10 lakh (about $11,200). The Best Web Series award went to Prime Video's Bandish Bandits Season 2. Moreover, superstar Rajinikanth was honored for completing 50 years in Indian cinema.
Other awards
Best Debut Feature Film of a Director Award was shared
Hesam Farahmand's Iranian film My Daughter's Hair and Tõnis Pill's Estonian film Fränk shared the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director award. Akinola Davies Jr.'s directorial My Father's Shadow, a UK-Nigerian film, won the special jury award. In partnership with the International Council for Film (ICFT), IFFI awarded the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal to Norwegian director Eirik Svensson for Safe House (Før Mørket). Karan Singh Tyagi won Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film for Kesari Chapter 2.