The five-day film and arts festival, LIFFT India Filmotsav, concluded on Monday (10 December) in Lonavala. The second edition of the festival, curated and organized by actor and filmmaker Riju Bajaj and his team, featured 120 films from 30 countries in about 27 languages.
Vivek Sharma’s A Game Called Relationship was the opening film of the festival, while Sridhar Rangayan’s Evening Shadows was the closing film.
This year, the festival felicitated filmmaker Rahul Rawail with the Lifetime Achievement LIFFT India award for his contribution to international cinema. The award for Best Film was given to Ako. The Best Actor (Female) award was given to Perla Encinas for her performance in The Alley. Meanwhile, Eric da Silva walked away with Best Actor award for A Sublime Life. The award is given in the name of Om Puri by Om Puri Foundation.
LIFFT India Filmotsav is one of the rare festivals that has an award category for Best Producer as well. This year, it went to Abhilash S Pillai for The Great Indian Road Movie.
For short films, the award for Best Indian Short Film went to Bhookh and the award for Best Children’s Film went to Protection. The award for Best Child Actor (Female) went to Cvita Viljac for Anka, while Master Ashray went home with the award for Best Child Actor (Male) for The Great Indian Road Movie.
The Best Popular Film award went to SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017).
Theatre veteran Atul Kumar was presented with the LIFFT India Honour for his contribution to dramatics.
Apart from films, the festival also showcased paintings, short plays, book readings, and dance and music concerts.
Here is a complete list of LIFFT India Filmotsav 2018 winners:
Best Child Actor (Female) – Cvita Viljac for Anka
Best Child Actor (Male) – Master Ashray for The Great Indian Road Movie
Best LGBTQ Film – Evening Shadows
VK Murthy Award for Best Cinematography – Akash Raj for Three And A Half
Renu Saluja Award for Best Editing – Fredrick J Chen for Lost In The Apocalypse
Best Animation – Nora (short film)
Best Children’s Film – Protection
Best Documentary – Myth
Best Production Design – Three And A Half
Best Indian Short Film – Bhookh
Khemchand Prakash Award for Best Music – Ally
Best Supporting Actor (Female) – Suhasini Mulay for Three And A Half
Best Supporting Actor (Male) – Rui Oliveira for A Sublime Life
Best Debut Director – Sky Wang for Lost In Apocalypse