Iffi introduces award for best debut director of Indian film

Panaji: The 55th International Film Festival of India (Iffi), scheduled to be held in Goa from Nov 20-28, will introduce a new award category – best debut director of Indian feature film. Five standout debut films that reflect the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of India will be showcased.

The original works from emerging directors are ‘Boong’ directed by Lakshmipriya Devi (Manipuri), ‘Gharat Ganpati’ directed by Navjyot Bandiwadekar (Marathi), ‘Mikka Bannada Hakki’ (Bird of a Different Feather) directed by Manohara K (Kannada), ‘Razakar’ (Silent Genocide of Hyderabad) directed by Yata Satyanarayana (Telugu), and ‘Thanupp’ (The Cold) directed by Ragesh Narayanan (Malayalam).

Each of these films presents unique narratives, emphasising the diverse storytelling traditions found across India’s many regions. The selection was made by a preview committee comprising esteemed professionals from the film and arts communities, who sifted through 117 eligible entries.

“By honouring these debut films, Iffi aims to foster global appreciation for Indian cinema and to provide emerging filmmakers with a platform to reach a wider audience, both nationally and internationally,” a statement from Iffi read.

The winner of the award will be determined by a jury during the event and announced at the closing ceremony on Nov 28.


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