PANAJI
Lithuanian film 'Toxic' directed by Saule Bilouviet won favour with the jury and the Golden Peacock Award as curtains came down on this year's edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) with a glitter-filled closing ceremony at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium in Bambolim.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who was among the dignitaries at the closing ceremony said IFFI was one of the reasons why many tourists time their visit to Goa in November.
"Over the last few years, IFFI has become synonymous with Goa and Goa with IFFI," Sawant said, even as he exhorted foreign filmmakers to shoot in the State assuring a single-window hassle free process for permissions as well as other facilities.
He also said that IFFI had helped Goa reach the global stage and the State has also benefited from infrastructure developed around the festival.
Australia which was he 'country of focus' at this year's edition of IFFI had its better known filmmakers, Phillip Noyce, honored with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award.
Meanwhile, this year's 'ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi' medal went to the film 'Crossing' directed by Lewan Akin.
Festival Director Shekhar Kapur, Union I&B Secretary Sanjay Jazu and several industry stalwarts like Rashmika Mandana, Shriya Saran, Vikrant Mesai, Ashutosh Gowariker, Ramesh Sippy and Jaya Prada attended the ceremony which was off-air due to a broadcast rights tussle.
Vikrant Mesai who was honored as the best Indian film personality this year, advised young filmmakers not to give up due to circumstances.
"Earlier I came to IFFI as a film buff. It is a great honour for me to now be honored on this stage today. Youngsters who want to make it in the film industry must constantly persist. Don't stop because of problems. If you keep working hard, you will get the spotlight at the right time," Mesai said.
