Indian Film ‘The Golden Thread’ Bags Golden Conch Award
The 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2024) which took place from June 15-21 presented the awards for best films, filmmakers and technicians.
The Indian film ‘The Golden Thread’, directed by Nistha Jain, bagged the Golden Conch award for the Best Documentary at MIFF 2024. The film is both an homage to and an observation of how the last vestiges of the industrial revolution were impacted by the forces of economic change.
The film, adjudged as the best documentary of the South Asia’s oldest and largest film festival for non-fiction, not only illustrates the relationship of man to machine but also questions how capitalism values man as equal only to his labour.
Announcing the top award, the Jury expressed, “The stunning imagery and sound, depicted in the film, weave a beautiful narrative that reminds us of the reason why documentary is still such a compelling art form.”
The award carries a Golden Conch, certificate and cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh.
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Best International Short Fiction Film: ‘Sour Milk’ (Estonia)
‘Sour Milk’, a short film directed by Vera Pirogova from Estonia, bagged the Best International Short Fiction Film award. The award carries a Silver Conch and cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh.
Sour Milk portrays the intricate bond between mother and son, weaving a narrative rich in expectation and disappointment. The film’s subtle and yet skilled direction guides viewers through a universal story of familial struggle and growth, where unspoken emotions shape the journey, illustrating that even the primal bonds of a mother and a son left untended can sometimes curdle like milk.
Best International Animation Film: ‘Zima’ (Poland)
‘Zima’, a film directed by Tomek Popakul, Kasumi Ozeki from Poland won the Best International Animation Film. The award carries a Silver Conch and cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh.
The film portrays a fishing village where there is violence and warmth as both humans and animals struggle to coexist with their own kind in an avant-garde abstract and courageous animated story.
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“Pramod Pati Award” for Most Innovative / Experimental Film (to Director Only): ‘The Old Young Crow’ (Japan)
‘The Old Young Crow’, directed by Liam Lopinto from Japan has won the “Pramod Pati Award” for Most Innovative / Experimental Film”. The award carries a trophy and cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh.
‘The Young Old Crow’ is an inventive, magical storytelling of multiple dualities – two worlds defined by languages, cultures, generations, the living and the dead, even the mediums of animation and live action film.
Special Jury Mention: ‘Lovely Jackson’ (United States of America)
‘Lovely Jackson’, directed by Matt Waldeck has won the Special Jury Mention award.
‘Lovely Jackson’ is a story of broken dreams, forgiveness and a mother’s love but ultimately it is a portrait of how the human spirit can maintain courage and resilience in the face of extreme injustice.
A total of 25 films were selected for the International Competition section which includes separate categories for Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation Films. Likewise, 77 films competed in the national competition category.
