Daily Updates

As the curtains came down on the 30th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala, the spotlight fell on cinema that speaks across borders. Japanese filmmaker Sho Miyake’s Two Seasons, Two Strangers was awarded the Suvarna Chakoram (Golden Crow Pheasant) for Best Film at the closing ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram, along with a trophy and ₹20 lakh in prize money.

Adapted from a manga by Yoshiharu Tsuge, Two Seasons, Two Strangers follows Lee, a scriptwriter navigating emotional disquiet across changing seasons while attempting to make sense of her life and relationships. Known for his sensitive explorations of human connection, loneliness and contemporary Japanese life, Miyake once again demonstrates a restrained, empathetic gaze that resonated strongly with the jury.

The Rajatha Chakoram (Silver Crow Pheasant) Award for Best Director was awarded to Argentine filmmakers Karina Piazza and Lucia Bracelis for Before the Body. The Spanish-language film stood out in the international competition for its emotional restraint and psychological intensity. The directors craft a tense, intimate portrait of a mother struggling to protect her children amid mounting social pressures, allowing unease to build through silences and everyday moments.

Another highlight of the awards was the Rajatha Chakoram for Best Debut Director, which went to Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi for Shadowbox. The duo also received the K. R. Mohanan Award for Best Debut Indian Directors, marking a significant moment for emerging voices in Indian cinema.

In the parallel jury recognitions, Sanju Surendran’s Khidki Gaav won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Film in the International Competition section, while Unnikrishnan Avala’s Thanthapperu (Life of a Phallus) received the Special Jury Award. The film also emerged as the Audience Poll winner, signalling a rare convergence of popular and critical acclaim. The FIPRESCI Award for Best Debut Malayalam Director was awarded to Fazil Razak for Moham.

The NETPAC awards recognised Cinema Jazira as Best Asian Film. Within the Malayalam cinema category, Khidki Gaav and Thanthapperu continued to garner attention, while Black Rabbit White Rabbit received a Special Jury Mention for technical excellence. Actor Tilottama Shome earned a Special Jury Mention for Acting for her performance in Shadowbox.

The closing ceremony also honoured Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako with the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh, along with a statuette and citation. Accepting the honour, Sissako described it as a defining moment in his life, recalling his long association with Kerala through cinema. He credited late filmmaker Shaji N. Karun for introducing him to the state and spoke of the deep cultural and historical connections shared by India and Africa, describing both as expansive, meaningful civilisational spaces.