PANAJI: The Colombian film ‘Porfirio‘ by Alejandro Landes took away the Golden Peacock for best film, while Iranian director Asghar Farhadi got the Silver Peacock for best director for the film ‘Nader and Simin, a Separation‘.

While Alejandro and his producer Francisco Allure received Rs 4 million each, Asghar got Rs 1.5 million.

The best actor award went to Sasson Gabay for the Israeli film ‘Restoration‘ by Joseph Madmony while the best female actor award went to Nadezda Markina for the Russian film ‘Elena‘ directed by Andrei Zvyagintev. Both received the Silver Peacock and a cash component of One million each.

The Indian (Malayalam) film ‘Abu. Son of Adam‘ (Adaminte Makan Abu) by Salim Ahamed received the Special jury award comprising cash component of Rs 1.5 million apart from a Silver Peacock.

The five-member International Jury was headed by famed filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan judging 14 films. Seven outstanding films which could not make it to the competition are being shown in a section known as ‘A Cut Above‘.

Earlier, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting CM Jatua said IFFI provides a platform for cinemas of the world to promote excellence and promote friendships amongst people.

Chief Guest and actor Surya said movies are all about desires that drive the people to do better. He said in south India, where he came from, cinema was a culture and not just entertainment. But it was unfortunate that regional language cinema was not getting the kind of attention that Hindi cinema got, though "we build a lot of bridges". He said filmmakers in the south shared creative content.

He made a special appeal that awarded films should be shown in all parts of the country with English subtitles, to help the untapped talent.

Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the festivals had led to more films being shot in Goa - 67 in recent months - and the motto of the festival had been to see satisfaction on the faces of the delegates. He noted that the Festival coincided with the Golden Jubilee of ‘Operation Vijay‘ which resulted in the liberation of Goa.

Festival Director Shankar Mohan proposed the vote of thanks at the finale which was attended among others by Goa Speaker Pratap Singh Rane, Goa Information Secretary Rajiv Verma, Panaji Mayor Yatin Parikh, I&B Ministry Joint Secretary (Films) DP Reddy, Goa Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava, actors Kangana Ranaut and Bhumika, filmmaker Rajendra Ahire, cameraman Madhu Ambat, and producer Sohail Khan. The programme was presented by actors Samir Soni and Mandira Bedi.

The festival closed with the French film ‘The Lady‘ by Luc Besson on the life of Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar.

The programme commenced a minute‘s silence to pay homage to Brazilian filmmaker Oscar Marron Filho who had died of a heart attack during the festival.
The colourful function included a dance ensemble representing dances from different parts of the country performed by Terence Lewis and his troupe with actress Isha Koppiker as the guest dancer.

A total of 167 films from 65 countries were screened at the Festival which commenced on 23 November. Renowned French filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier received the Lifetime Achievement award from Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni.

This award, which had been started around a decade earlier and later abandoned, has been revived and will include a cash award of Rs one million.

The Festival was inaugurated by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and opened with the Portuguese film ‘The Consul of Bordeaux‘ by Francisco Manso and Joao Correa.