The 30th edition of the prestigious International Film Festival Kerala (IFFK) concluded on a high note in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, with the coveted Golden Crow Pheasant (Suvarna Chakoram) for the best film being awarded to the Japanese entry, 'Two Seasons Two Strangers'. Directed by Sho Miyake, the film captivated audiences and the jury with its profound exploration of human relationships and emotional bonds.
Major Award Winners at IFFK 2024
The festival's top prize, which includes a cash award of Rs 20 lakh, a certificate, and a sculpture, was presented to the winning film. The screenplay, penned by Li, delves into the protagonist's internal conflicts across two different phases of his life, resonating deeply with viewers. In the international competition category, a total of 14 films were vying for this top honour.
The Silver Crow Pheasant for the best director was jointly conferred upon Carina Piazza and Lucia Bracelis for their Argentine film, 'Before the Body'. The directors, known for their web series 'La Vida Tranquila', received a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh, a certificate, and a plaque. Their film, a powerful narrative about a mother battling threats to protect her children, was a standout in the competition.
Honours for Indian and Malayalam Cinema
Indian cinema saw significant recognition. The special jury award, along with the audience poll award for the most popular film (carrying Rs 2 lakh), was bagged by Unnikrishnan Avala's 'Thanthapperu'. The K R Mohanan award for the best debut Indian director was shared by Tanushree Das and Soumyananda Sahi, who also received the Silver Crow Pheasant for best debut director, complete with a Rs 3 lakh prize.
In the Malayalam cinema segment, 'Khidki Gaav' and 'Thanthapperu' achieved notable success. For technical excellence, 'Black Rabbit White Rabbit' earned a special jury mention, while actress Tillotama Shome received a special mention for her performance in 'Shadow Box'. The FIPRESCI award for the best debut Malayalam director was clinched by Fazil Razak.
Lifetime Achievement and Asian Cinema Spotlight
The closing ceremony witnessed a poignant moment as celebrated Mauritanian and Malian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award. The NETPAC award for the best Asian film was presented to 'Cinema Jazeera'. The international jury for deciding these awards was chaired by renowned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof.
The 30th IFFK successfully showcased a diverse palette of global cinema, reaffirming its position as a crucial platform for meaningful cinematic dialogue and celebration of artistic excellence from across the world.
