The three-day International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 concluded on Friday in Goa with a glittering closing ceremony. Legendary Indian actor Rajinikanth was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of India, celebrating his 50-year acting career.

“If I were to be reborn 100 times, I would like to be reborn as an actor and as Rajinikanth,” said the superstar, expressing gratitude and humility at the ceremony.

Festival Highlights and Awards

• The Golden Peacock Award for Best Feature Film went to the Vietnamese film “Skin of Youth”, directed by Ashleigh Mayfair and produced by Trần Thị Bích Ngọc, Ash Mayfair, and Fran Borgia. The award includes a trophy, certificate, and ₹40 lakh cash prize. Mayfair described the film as a deeply personal story exploring the journey, dignity, and identity of her transgender sibling.
• The ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal was awarded to the Norwegian film “Safe House”, directed by Eirik Svensson, depicting the tense hours inside a Doctors Without Borders hospital during the 2013 civil war in the Central African Republic.
• Other awardees included:
  • Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male): Ubeimar Rios for the Colombian film “A Poet”
  • Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film: Karan Singh Tyagi for “Kesari Chapter 2”
  • Best Web Series (OTT): Bandish Bandits Season 2, directed by Anand Tiwari

This year’s edition featured 15 fiction feature films, including three from India, representing a vibrant array of global cinema.

With over 170 films spanning Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada, Rajinikanth’s contribution to Indian cinema has earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan (2000), Padma Vibhushan (2016), and Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2020). His iconic career continues to leave a lasting imprint on popular culture and cinema worldwide.