Goa: The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) came to a spectacular close on November 28, 2025. The festival was capped with emotions, pride and celebration in the air with legendary superstar Rajinikanth was awarded with the most prestigious award, the Lifetime Achievement Award for completing fifty years in cinema. The evening also marked the announcement of the top winners across global and Indian films, making the finale a memorable moment for filmmakers, actors and fans.
Skin of Youth Wins the Golden Peacock at IFFI 2025
The biggest honour of the night, the Golden Peacock for Best Film, went to Skin of Youth. Directed by Ash Mayfair, the Vietnamese film tells a powerful story about a troubled romance between a transgender sex worker and a cage fighter. It was one of the most discussed movies at the festival this year because of its sensitive narrative and great performances.
Santosh Davakhar Wins Best Director for Gondhal
Marathi filmmaker Santosh Davakhar took home the Best Director award for Gondhal. The movie is based on the life of a Marathi bride who uses her lover’s obsessive behaviour during a traditional ceremony to play a risky and thrilling game. The film stood out for its bold theme and sharp direction.
Top Acting Honours Announced
Colombian actor Ubeimar Rios won the Best Actor award for his role in A Poet, a moving story about a man’s lifelong obsession with poetry. Jara Sofija Ostan was the winner of Best Actor Female for her performance in the Slovenian film Little Trouble Girls. The film focuses on a 16 year old introverted girl and her emotional journey with a fellow student. Both performances were praised for their depth and honesty.
Special Jury and UNESCO Recognitions at IFFI Goa, 2025
The Special Jury Award was given to the Nigerian film My Father’s Shadow, a story that left a strong impact on the jury for its emotional narrative.
The ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal was awarded to Safe House, a film that celebrates the values of peace and humanity.
Best Debut Films Celebrate New Voices
Two filmmakers emerged as joint winners in the Best Debut Film award at the festival. Iranian Hesam Farahmand won in his first movie My Daughter Hair (Raha), and Estonian director Tonis Pill in his first movie Frank. Both movies were acclaimed to have refreshing stories and good artistic direction.
Indian Awards: Kesari Chapter 2 and Bandish Bandits Shine
The Best Debut Director award for an Indian feature film went to Karan Singh Tyagi for Kesari Chapter 2, starring Akshay Kumar.
In the OTT category, Bandish Bandits Season 2 won the award for Best Web Series. The show received appreciation for its music, performances and emotional storytelling.
A Cultural Night to Remember
The closing ceremony of IFFI Goa, 2025 was a vibrant tribute to India’s cultural heritage. Different states of the North India were represented in the light of performances honoring the legendary artists like SD Burman, RD Burman, Zubeen Garg and Papon. The crowd was also treated to a gorgeous performance of Yakshagana, which is a Karnataka art form.
Bringing more light to the evening, Ranveer Singh released the song Tu Agar Meri of his upcoming film Dhurandhar at IFFI Goa, 2025. He expressed his admiration for Rajinikanth and said he felt privileged to celebrate his film in the presence of the biggest superstar of all time.
Also Read | Ranveer Singh Bows to Rajinikanth’s Legacy at IFFI 2025; Says I’m Too Small to Even Talk About Him
