LGBTQ film wins Golden Peacock

Panaji: The 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India (Iffi) concluded amid a glittering closing ceremony on Friday, with the coveted Golden Peacock Award for Best Film going to the Vietnamese production, ‘Skin of Youth’, directed by Ashleigh Mayfair.

Set in the 1990s Saigon, the film explores the romance between San, a transgender sex worker dreaming of a sex-change surgery, and Nam, an underground cage fighter who fights to support her son. Commenting on the film, the jury called it “captivating from the very first frame”, and admired it for being “bold and brave, stunning and stylish”, for exploring “love and sacrifice in a world few of us ever glimpse”.


Mayfair called it “a deeply personal story”, since her younger sibling is transgender, and the film explores their dignity, rights, fears, and identity.

The Norwegian film, ‘Safe House’, directed by Eirik Svensson, was awarded the ICFT–Unesco Gandhi Medal for its “outstanding contribution to cinema that promotes peace, non-violence, and intercultural dialogue”.

Iranian filmmaker Hesam Farahmand for his debut film, ‘My Daughter’s Hair (Raha)’, and Estonian filmmaker Tonis Pill for his debut feature, ‘Frank’, were declared joint winners of the Best Debut Film of a Director Award. The jury praised both films, citing their brilliance.

Lead actor of the Spanish film, ‘A Poet’, Ubeimar Rios, was honoured with the Silver Peacock for Best Actor (male) for the portrayal of a suffering, defeated poet who is in an emotional crisis until he meets a talented teenager who changes his life. Jara Sofija Ostan, the lead actor of the Slovenian film, ‘Little Trouble Girls’, was honoured with the Silver Peacock for Best Actor (female), and was applauded by the jury for her “simplest, most truthful, tiniest expressions and extremely delicate gestures”.

British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr was honoured with the Special Jury Award for the film, ‘My Father’s Shadow’.

‘Kesari Chapter 2’ director Karan Singh Tyagi received the award for his debut film. The Indian Panorama jury congratulated the director, producer, actors, and technicians of this film.

The Best Web Series (OTT) Award of the festival went to the team of ‘Bandish Bandits Season 2’.

Marathi feature, ‘Gondhaal’, earned director Santosh Davakhar a Silver Peacock for Best Director.

The ceremony also paid tributes to several iconic figures in the Indian film industry who passed away in the past year. Actor Dharmendra, singer Zubeen Garg, actor Manoj Kumar, filmmaker Shyam Benegal, and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, among others, were all remembered in emotional segments.

Indian actor Rajinikanth, who was honoured at Iffi for completing 50 years in cinema, shared a touching message. “When I look back, it feels as if time has flown, because I love cinema and acting. I would like to take a hundred births as an actor, and as Rajinikanth,” he said.

The festival also observed the 125th birth anniversary of the legendary filmmaker, V Shantaram, with his son receiving a special shawl in his honour. It also honoured the rich cultural heritage of India’s northeast, with a special tribute to the birth centenary of the legendary Bhupen Hazarika. A series of northeastern folk dances were performed, highlighting the vibrant traditions of the seven sisters.

“Films are far more than entertainment; they shape public consciousness, inspire social change, preserve cultural heritage, and foster unity across India’s diverse society,” said chief minister Pramod Sawant.

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