Finally it was Curtains Down on the 48th International Film Festival Of India (IffI Goa – 2017) in Goa’s huge Indoor Stadium namely Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherji Indoor Stadium. The Stadium was jampacked with the local Gaon delegates including the National & the International delegates and of course the media. And to top it the official Media PR Agency Raindrop had carted a chosen few media celebrities all the way from Bombay nay Mumbai to Goa for a 2 day trip to Goa to especially attend IffI Goa 2017’s Closing Ceremomy.
The highlights of the Closing Ceremony of IffI Goa – 2017 was the Bollywoodian stars walking down The Red Carpet a la Cannes Film Festival, Atom Egoyan receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, 120 BEATS PER MINUTE bagging the “Best Movie” award which comprised of the “Golden Peacock Trophy”, Big B being honoured – “The Legend Of Indian Cinema” bagging the “Indian Film Personality Of The Year 2017″ award et al.
Moreover Marathi Film Kshitij – A Horizon” bagged the “ICFT – UNESCO Gandhi Medal”
The 9 day long International Film Festival of India 2017 concluded on 28th Nov, 2017 in a higly colourful closing ceremony held at Goa. The theme of this year’s IFFI was “Connecting The World Through Stories”. And above all varied prestigious awards including Golden Peacock, Silver Peacock, Life Time Achievement Award & Indian Personality Of The Year Award were conferred during the star studded ceremony which was followed by a Dinner party in the especially decorated, with illuminating colourful lights, in the sprawling lawns of the Kala Academy.
French movie 120 Beats Per Minute, directed by Robin Campillo bagged the award for “Best Film” in IFFI 2017. The award came with the Golden Peacock trophy, certificate & a cash prize amount of Rs. 40, 00,000 shared between the Director & the Producer equally. Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, for his role in 120 Beats per Minute bagged the “Best Actor” award, who was conspicuous by his absence but he did sent a recorded message thanking profusely the officials of IffI award, the Chief Minister of Goa Shri Manohar Parrikar in tandem with the Goa Government.
Besides picking up the Silver Peacock 120 Beats Per Minute tells the story of a group of activists in Paris in early 1990’s, taking on the Government agencies & major pharmaceutical companies, battling for HIV /AIDS patients.
The “Best Director” award was given to Vivian Qu for the film Angels Wear White, who bagged the “Silver Peacock Trophy” and cash prize of Rs. 15,00,000. While Parvathy Thiruvothu Kottuvata was awarded the “Best Actress” award for the Malayalam film Take Off, Nahuel Pérez Biscayart won the “Best Actor” award for the film 120 Beats Per Minute. Both received the Silver Peacock Trophy & a cash Prize of Rs 10,00,000 each. Special Jury award, which carries the Silver Peacock Award & a cash prize of Rs. 15,00,000, was awarded to Mahesh Narayanan for his Malayalam movie Take Off. Kiro Russo received the award for “Best Debut Feature Film Of A Director” for his Spanish Movie Dark Skull.
Apart from this Big B, award winning & the most acclaimed actor was honoured with the “Indian Film Personality Of The Year 2017” which comprised of Rs 10 Lakh, a Shawl and a plaque, for his contribution to the Indian Cinema. The 75 year old actor’s glorious career has spanned almost 5 decades, in which he has been decorated with a plethora of National & International honours.
Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker, Atom Egoyan was conferred the “Lifetime Achievement” award at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival Of India (IFFI Goa 2017). The festival also honoured his work with a special film section that had screened 3 films produced by the 57 year old filmmaker. Atom Egoyan is best known for his films Exotica, The Sweet Hereafter & Chloe. The lifetime achievement award consisting of a cash prize of Rs. 10,00,000 is conferred upon a master filmmaker for his / her outstanding contribution to cinema.
The ICFT – UNESCO Gandhi Medal was awarded to Marathi Movie Kshitij – A Horizon, directed by filmmaker Manouj Kadaamh. This award, instituted by the International Council for Film & Television, Paris & UNESCO is given to a film that portrays the Gandhian values of peace & harmony. The film is set on the life of Vacchi, 12 year old daughter of a sugarcane field labourer, who overcomes varied challenges to pursue her education.
And last but not the least “The Closing Ceremony” of IFFI 2017 was anchored by Karan Johar, Sonali Bendre & Zaira Wasim, of the recently released Secret Superstar, in lieu with ex – Bigg Boss contestant & the most popular RJ & actor Preetam who enlivened the proceedings of the evening.
In conclusion a point to be noted is that eminent Indian film personalities such as Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Bhumi Pednekar, Sushant Singh Rajput, Sidharth Malhotra, Huma Qureshi et al graced “The Closing Ceremony”, which also witnessed the scintillating performances from singer & composer Papon, enthralling the audience with his soulful voice & music and actor Sidharth Malhotra paid a glowing tribute to Big B with his dazzling dance performance from Big B’s films like Don, Hum, Yaarana et al.
