Three Indian Films to compete for the prestigious award

Mumbai: 15 films, showcasing powerful storytelling from around the globe, are set to compete for the coveted Golden Peacock at the 55th International Film Festival 2024. This year’s line-up features a rich mix of 12 international and 3 Indian films, each selected for its unique perspective, voice and artistry.

Presenting the best of global and Indian cinema, each of these films offers a unique take on human values, culture and the art of storytelling.

This year, the esteemed Golden Peacock Jury, led by the acclaimed Indian filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, includes award-winning Singaporean director Anthony Chen, British-American producer Elizabeth Karlsen, Spanish producer Fran Borgia, and legendary Australian Film editor Jill Bilcock. Together, this jury will determine winners in categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Male), Best Actor (Female) and the Special Jury Prize. The winning film will take home a prize of ₹40 lakh along with one of the festival's top honours.

This year’s line-up spans across themes and genres, with films that take us into uncharted territories, challenge perceptions, and amplify new voices.

Here’s a glimpse of the remarkable nominations:

1. Fear & Trembling (Iran)

Two of Iran’s most respected women filmmakers, Manijeh Hekmat and Faeze Azizkhani, present a poignant tale about Manzar, an older woman grappling with fear and loneliness in a rapidly changing world in their film ‘Fear and Trembling’.

This Iranian film is a World Premiere in this year’s IFFI. It reflects on personal transformation amid societal shifts and depicts the challenges faced by women in the modern-day Iran.

2. Gulizar (Turkey)

In her debut feature, Turkish writer-director Belkis Bayrak delves into the life of ‘Gulizar’, a young woman battling trauma and the societal expectations in her quest for independence.

Garnering attention across the festival circuit, the film has already premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 as well as the San Sebastián International Film Festival, 2024.

3. Holy Cow (France)

French filmmaker Louise Courvoisier’s debut feature ‘Holy Cow’ is a delightful coming-of-age comedy-drama that follows 18-year-old Totone, whose carefree life is turned upside down as he takes on responsibility for his younger sister. The film won the prestigious Youth Award in Cannes Film Festival, 2024.

This charming film set in the mountainous region of the Juca in the western French Alps, portrays the turbulence of growing up and the responsibilities of adulthood faced by the main protagonist.

4. I am Nevenka (Spain)

‘I Am Nevenka’ by Goya Award-winning director Iciar Bollaín is a bold story of a woman fighting society’s injustice in her own way. The film won the Euskadi Basque Country 2030 Agenda Award, at the San Sebastian International Film Festival held in 2024.

The film dramatizes the case of Nevenka Fernández, a member of the Ponferrada City Council, who in 2001 became the first woman in Spain to win a court case on sexual harassment against a high-ranking politician.

Inspired by true events, it chronicles the fight for justice and explores the larger societal and cultural implications of harassment and gender equality in Spain.

5. Panopticon (Georgia-USA)

In ‘Panopticon’, Georgian-American director George Sikharulidze’s gripping debut feature, a young Georgian teen confronts questions of identity, morality, and self as he navigates his life. The film won the Ecumenical Jury - Special Mention, at Karlovy Vary 2024.

A poignant coming-of-age story, the film examines the challenges of growing up in a contemporary post-Soviet Georgian society.

6. Pierce (Singapore)

Former National Fencer and rising filmmaker of Singapore, Nelicia Low’s ‘Pierce’ received the Best Director Award at Karlovy Vary International Festival this year.

A psychological thriller, the film delves into the complexities of family and sibling rivalry. Set in the high-stakes world of competitive fencing, the film follows two brothers as they struggle to balance their ambition.

7. Red Path (Tunisia)

Prolific Tunisian theatre and cinema director and producer Lotfi Achour’s latest feature ‘Red Path’ tells the story of Achraf, a young shepherd, as he navigates trauma, tradition, and personal loss in a hauntingly beautiful landscape. The film premiered at the prestigious Locarno International Film Festival in 2024.

8. Shepherds (Canada-France)

One of the leading figures of the new Quebec cinema, Sophie Deraspea’s ‘Shepherds’ is a visually stunning film on self-reinvention and the harsh realities of rural life.

The film is her latest feature which won the Best Canadian Feature Film Award in the Toronto International Film Festival, 2024.

The film follows a Canadian Copywriter who, seeking solace and a fresh start, moves to the French Alps to live life as a shepherd. But as he confronts the isolation and hardship of his new life, he must grapple with his past. Deraspe’s masterful direction compels the viewers to explore the ideas of human resilience and strength of character.

9. The New Year That Never Came (Romania)

Award-winning Romanian writer and director Bogdan Mureșanu’s ‘The New Year That Never Came’ takes viewers through the lives of six individuals during Romania’s 1989 revolution. The film won the Orizzonti Award for Best Film, and Special Mention: Authors Under 40 Award in the Venice International Film Festival, 2024.

A historical drama with a deeply personal story, Mureșanu’s film weaves together political upheaval and human stories of resistance, loss and hope. 

10. Toxic (Lithuania)

In her debut feature film, Lithuanian filmmaker and screenwriter Saulė Bliuvaitė delivers a raw and haunting coming-of-age story of friendship amidst toxicity. 

‘Toxic’ explores the complexities of adolescence, friendship, and self-destruction, as the filmmaker delves into the darker side of youth, winning critical acclaim for its portrayal of emotional turmoil and the pressures of growing up.

The film won the Golden Leopard, Swatch First Feature Award, and Ecumenical Jury Prize at the 77th Locarno International Film Festival, 2024.

11. Waves (Czech Republic)

Czech actor, scriptwriter and director Jiri Madl’s ‘Waves’ is his third feature film, and has been selected as the Czech Republic's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.

The film is a powerful historical drama set during the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. The film revolves around a group of journalists risking everything to report the truth as their country’s freedom is in danger.

12. Who Do I Belong To (Tunisia-Canada)

‘Who Do I Belong To’, is noted Tunisian-Canadian filmmaker Meryam Joobeur’s debut feature. This is a high-octane yet poignant drama about a broken family. The film tells the story of a Tunisian woman, who is caught between her maternal love and her search for the truth when her son returns home from war and unleashes a darkness throughout their village.

The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival 2024.

The film weaves a complex narrative of maternal love and personal sacrifice. Joobeur’s work has already garnered praise for its emotional depth and strong performances.

13. The Goat Life (India)

In ‘The Goat Life’, National Award-winning Malayalam film director Blessy tells the true story of an Indian migrant worker struggling to survive in the harsh desert of Saudi Arabia.

The film is an adaptation of the best-selling Malayalam novel Aadujeevitham by the author, Benyamin, which is based on the real-life story of Najeeb, a Malayali immigrant labourer in the Gulf.

This gripping drama explores the themes of migration, survival and the human spirit amidst the adversities of life.

14. Article 370 (India)

‘Article 370’, directed by the National Award-winning filmmaker Aditya Suhas Jambhale, is a tense political thriller set against the backdrop of India’s tumultuous constitutional changes. 

The story delves deep into the intricacies of Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. The film masterfully portrays the socio-political landscape of the region. The director expertly weaves a narrative of struggles of power and personal sacrifice in the film.

15. Raavsaheb (India)

‘Raavsaheb’ is a much-anticipated Marathi crime thriller film directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Nikhil Mahajan. This film is a World Premiere in this year’s IFFI. Nikhil Mahajan’s crime thriller centres on the man-animal conflict in tribal lands and a quest for justice. The film is a gripping tale set in the tribal lands of India.

A Celebration of Women’s Voices in Cinema

It is worth mentioning that this year's nominations are also an ode to women film makers as, incidentally, 9 of the 15 films are directed by talented female filmmakers.

Mark Your Calendars

So, who are you rooting for?

And have you chosen a favourite yet?

Come join us at IFFI this November and get a chance to watch these brilliant cinematic creations as they compete for the coveted Golden Peacock.

The 55th International Film Festival will be held from November 20th to 28th, 2024, in Panaji, Goa. Get ready to be amazed, inspired, and entertained, stated a press release.