In the 22nd Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) jointly organised by Government of Maharashtra & Pune Film Foundation, ‘Citizen Saint’ directed by Tinatin Kajrishvili has received the Government of Maharashtra ‘Prabhat’ Best International Film. Marathi film ‘Sthal’ directed by Jayant Somalkar has received the Government of Maharashtra ‘Santa Tukaram’ Best International Marathi film.
The awards were presented in a grand concluding ceremony of the 22nd PIFF. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Dr Jabbar Patel, festival director, Abhijit Gholap, president North American Film Association (NAFA), International jury members and film selection committee members. On this occasion Satish Alekar, trustee of Pune Film Foundation felicitated the international jury. Dr Mohan Agashe, veteran actor & trustee of Pune Film Foundation, Ravi Gupta, secretary of Pune Film Foundation. Mohit Dube, Pro Vice Chancellor, MIT ADT University, Meghraj Raje Bhosale, president, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal were also present for the occasion.
‘Citizen Saint’ is a Georgian film that will receive Rs 10 lakh as prize money from Government of Maharashtra, which will be divided among the director & producers equally, each receiving Rs 5 lakh. As part of the ‘Sant Tukaram Award’, Rs 5 lakh will be received by the makers from Government of Maharashtra.
At this occasion Dr Jabbar Patel and Abhijit Gholap announced that a first ‘North American Marathi Film Festival‘ in collaboration with PIFF and North America Film Association (NAFA) will be held between July 27-28, 2024 at San Jose in California. It will be a one of its kind two day festival.
Ayesha Jain, final year student at FTII was awarded PIFF special award instituted by Polish filmmaker Ms. Maria Prochazkova.
List of Winners at PIFF 2024:
World Competition:
*Government of Maharashtra “Prabhat” Best International Film with a prize money of Rs. 10 Lakhs is given to the Georgian film Citizen Saint (Mokalake Tsmindani) directed by Tinatin Kajrishvili Produced by Lasha Khalvashi & Tinatin Kajrishvili. Rs 5 Lakhs goes to the Directors and Rs.5 Lakhs is divided among the producers equally.
*Government of Maharashtra “Prabhat” Best International Film Director award along with the prize money of Rs. 5 Lakhsis given to the French director Anaïs TELLENNE for the film The Dreamer (L’homme D’argile).
*MIT-SFT Human Spirit Award, along with the prize money of USD 1000 is given to the director Amr Gamal for the film The Burdened produced in Yemen, Sudan, Saudi Arabia.
*A special Mention certificate is given to the Bulgarian Actress Eli Skorcheva for the film Blaga’s Lessons (Urotcite Na Blaga).
Marathi Competition:
*Government of Maharashtra “Sant Tukaram” Best International Marathi Film award is given to the film Sthal (A Match) Produced by Shefali Bhushan, Karan Grover, Riga Malhotra, Jayant Digambar Somalkar and Directed by Jayant Digambar Somalkar. The total Prize money of Rs. 5 Lakhs is shared as follows. Rs. 2.5 Lakh to the Director and Rs.2.5 Lakhs is divided equally among four Producers.
*Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal Best Film Director award along with the prize money of Rs. 25,000 is given to Shrikant Prabhakar the director of the film ‘Bhera’ (Deaf).
*Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal - Best Film Actor award along with the prize money of Rs. 25,000 is presented to Deva Gadekar for the film ‘Valli'.
*Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal - Best Actress award along with the prize money of Rs. 25,000 is given to Swati Gotavale for the film Chabila.
*Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal - Best Screenplay award along with the prize money of Rs. 25,000 is given to Jayant Digambar Somalkar for the film ‘Sthal (A Match).
*Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal - Best Cinematographer award along with the prize money of Rs. 25,000 is given Vijay Mishra for the film Shyamchi Aai (Shyam’s Mother).
*Special Mention certificates is given to the actor Kabir for the film Gypsy.
*Special Mention certificate is given to the Art Director Shrikant Prabhakar for the film Bhera (Deaf).
Student Competition Awards
*International Student Competition Best Film Live Action award is given to the Polish film Dancing Clouds (Pierwszy taniec W churach) directed by Michał Mieszczyk and produced by Polish Film Institute. Prize Money 1000 US dollars is equally divided between the Director and the producer.
*International Student Competition Best Director Live Action award is given to Martin Kuba of Czech Republic for the film Vinlannd.
*Special Mention certificates is given to I -Ju Lin, the director of the Czech Republic film Separation Season.
*Special Mention certificates is given to the screenplay writer Archit S Kirkinde of the Indian Film Asamtol.
