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#IFFIWood, 28 November 2024

Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin’s CROSSING wins the prestigious ICFT - UNESCO Gandhi Medal at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa. The award recognizes a film that reflects the values of peace, non-violence, and the promotion of human rights, and CROSSING was chosen for its powerful exploration of these themes. The winner receives the UNESCO Gandhi Medal and a certificate.

The Jury commended Crossing for its stunning cinematic qualities and its thought-provoking exploration of gender equality and social understanding. “A stunning piece of cinema about love and understanding,” the Jury mentioned in the citation.

Instituted in collaboration with the International Council for Film, Television, and Audiovisual Communication (ICFT) and UNESCO, this award honours films that reflect ideals of tolerance, intercultural dialogue, and culture of peace.

Crossing tells the story of an elderly woman who embarks on a journey with a young man from Georgia to Istanbul to find her niece, who disappeared many years ago. In fulfilling a promise, the woman, played by the exceptionally talented Mzia Arabuli, uncovers unexpected links to gender issues and equality. The film beautifully weaves a narrative about love, understanding, and the connections that transcend generations, offering a poignant commentary on social and cultural themes.

This year, ten remarkable films were shortlisted for the award, each representing different regions, cultures, and genres, yet united by their commitment to Gandhian principles. Check out the nominees here:

The Jury for the Gandhi Medal at IFFI comprises of the following members:

• Isabelle Danel, Honorary President of FIPRESCI- International Federation of Film Critics,
• Serge Michel, Vice President of CICT-ICFT,
• Maria Cristina Iglesias, former head of UNESCO’s Cultural Sector Programme,
• Dr. Ahmed Bedjaoui, Artistic Director of the Algiers International Film Festival,
• Xueyuan Hun, Director of Platform for Creativity and Innovation, CICT-ICFT youth branch.

You can listen to the Jury interactions with the Media at the PIB Press Conference here.

About ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal

Launched during the 46^th IFFI, the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal honours films that not only hold high artistic and cinematic standards but also encourage ethical reflection on society's most pressing issues. The award was created to foster a deeper understanding of humanity’s shared values through the transformative power of cinema.

The ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal is more than just an award; it is a celebration of the power of film to inspire, educate, and unite.

As the legend goes, IFFI may close, but it never truly ends! As the curtain falls on this nine-day cinematic extravaganza, dive into our curated collection of IFFI stories, filmmaker interactions, and candid moments from IFFI, Goa by visiting [this link] (https://pib.gov.in/iffi/55/ 

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PIB IFFI CAST AND CREW | Rajith/Dhanalakshmi/Darshana | IFFI 55 - 119