The 56th International Film Festival of India concluded in Goa with a glittering awards ceremony that honoured cinematic brilliance from across the world, marking a memorable finale to this year’s celebration of films. The prestigious Golden Peacock for Best Feature Film was awarded to the Vietnamese film Skin of Youth, directed by Ashleigh Mayfair. In the Silver Peacock category, Santosh Davakhar won Best Director for the Marathi film Gondhal. Ubeimar Rios received Best Male Actor for the Spanish film A Poet, while Jara Sofija Ostan was honoured as Best Female Actor for her performance in the Slovenian film Little Trouble Girls.

Iranian filmmaker Hesam Farahmand and Estonian director Tõnis Pill emerged as joint winners of the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director award. Karan Singh Tyagi won Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film for Kesari Chapter 2. The Best Web Series (OTT) award went to Bandish Bandits Season 2. The ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal was presented to Norwegian film Safe House for promoting peace and intercultural dialogue. A special highlight was the felicitation of legendary actor Rajinikanth for completing 50 years in Indian cinema. Expressing gratitude, he said, “This honour belongs to the entire film industry. Even if I have a hundred births, I wish to be born as Rajinikanth, because I love cinema and acting.”

CM Dr. Pramod Sawant addressed the event during the conclusion of the festival, he said this edition of IFFI was combination of a remarkable gathering of creative minds, Artistry and brilliance in global collaborations during the past several days, and Goa has witnessed the extraordinary confluence of ideas and cultures. Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said IFFI continues to strengthen India’s position as a global creative hub, celebrating both innovation and tradition in storytelling.