{"id":13565,"date":"2025-12-09T13:25:53","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T07:55:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=13565"},"modified":"2025-12-09T13:25:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T07:55:53","slug":"iffi-2025-celebrates-global-cinema-promoting-peace-ten-films-compete-for-the-prestigious-icft-unesco-gandhi-medal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=13565","title":{"rendered":"IFFI 2025 Celebrates Global Cinema Promoting Peace: Ten Films Compete for the Prestigious ICFT\u2013UNESCO Gandhi Medal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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IFFI 2025 Celebrates Global Cinema Promoting Peace: Ten Films Compete for the Prestigious ICFT\u2013UNESCO Gandhi Medal<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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#IFFIWood, 27 November 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025), in collaboration with the International Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication (ICFT), presents its annual\u00a0ICFT\u2013UNESCO Gandhi Medal, an honour bestowed on films that uphold the ideals championed by UNESCO\u2014tolerance, intercultural dialogue and a global culture of peace. Introduced at the 46th IFFI in 2016, the award has become one of the festival\u2019s most respected recognitions, celebrating cinema that inspires compassion, harmony and social responsibility.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This year,\u00a0ten exceptional films\u00a0from across the world are competing for the prestigious medal. The lineup features entries from the\u00a0UK, Norway, Kosovo, Iraq, Chile, Japan, and\u00a0three from India, reflecting IFFI\u2019s commitment to diverse storytelling and global representation. The films in competition include\u00a0Brides<\/em>\u00a0(UK),\u00a0Hana<\/em>\u00a0(Kosovo),\u00a0K Poper<\/em>\u00a0(Iran),\u00a0The President’s Cake<\/em>\u00a0(USA\u2013Iraq\u2013Qatar),\u00a0Safe House<\/em>\u00a0(Norway),\u00a0Tanvi The Great<\/em>\u00a0(India),\u00a0The Wave<\/em>\u00a0(Chile),\u00a0Vimukt<\/em>\u00a0(India),\u00a0White Snow<\/em>\u00a0(India) and\u00a0Yakushima\u2019s Illusion<\/em>\u00a0(Belgium\u2013France\u2013Japan\u2013Luxembourg).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0ICFT\u2013UNESCO Gandhi Medal Jury\u00a0for IFFI 2025 is chaired by\u00a0Dr. Prof. Ahmed Bedjaoui (Algeria), with members\u00a0Xueyuan Hun (China), Serge Michel (France), Tobias Biancone (Switzerland)\u00a0and\u00a0Georges Dupont (Luxembourg).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking at PIB\u2019s press conference, acclaimed filmmaker\u00a0Manouj Kadaamh, Honorary Representative of ICFT\u2013UNESCO Paris, said the award recognizes films that project humanitarian values and visuals that reflect non-violence, communal harmony and social justice. He noted that 2025 marks the\u00a0eleventh year of ICFT\u2019s partnership with IFFI,\u00a0underscoring a shared mission to promote meaningful cinema.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Manouj Kadaamh highlighted that ICFT, founded in 1956, is the oldest global association for film technicians and continues to work across diverse audiovisual themes. He also discussed emerging conversations around\u00a0AI in filmmaking, noting that while AI can assist in creating scenes difficult to shoot, \u201cthere has to be a human element in films\u2014emotions cannot be computerized.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Pankaj Saxena, Artistic Director (Programming), NFDC, emphasized that the ICFT\u2013UNESCO Gandhi Medal is one of IFFI\u2019s three programmed competitions and is guided by a unique mandate\u2014to bring civilizations and cultures together through cinema that promotes peace and prosperity. He observed the festival\u2019s growing representation of women filmmakers, noting the increasing number of powerful films led by women voices, and reiterated that IFFI aims to reflect the world without being dominated by any single region.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Pankaj Saxena stressed that film festivals must curate works that elevate cinematic taste, celebrate artistic integrity and reflect the human condition. While acknowledging that violence is a primordial instinct, he highlighted the need to portray it responsibly and not as a tool for commercial sensationalism.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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About the ICFT\u2013UNESCO Gandhi Medal:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Representing the universal ideals of\u00a0Mahatma Gandhi,\u00a0the ICFT\u2013UNESCO segment of IFFI honours films that embody peace, non-violence and intercultural understanding. This globally respected award recognizes works that transcend artistic brilliance to embrace themes of inclusivity, social awareness and ethical reflection. Over the years, the Gandhi Medal has spotlighted filmmakers whose narratives foster compassion, unity and dialogue among cultures\u2014affirming cinema\u2019s transformative power to illuminate humanity and build bridges across societies.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Watch the full press conference:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n