In the 23rd Pune International Film Festival (PIFF), jointly organized by the Government of Maharashtra & Pune Film Foundation, Armand, directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel and produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, has received the Government of Maharashtra ‘Prabhat’ Best International Film award. The Marathi film Sangala, directed and produced by Raoba Gajmal, has won the Government of Maharashtra ‘Santa Tukaram’ Best International Marathi Film award.
The awards were presented in a grand concluding ceremony of the 23rd PIFF, graced by the presence of Dr. Jabbar Patel, festival director, international jury members, and film selection committee members. On this occasion, Satish Alekar, trustee of Pune Film Foundation, felicitated the international jury. Meghraj Raje Bhosale, president of Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, was also present.
Other winners
Armand, a film from Norway, Netherlands, and Sweden, will receive Rs 10 lakh as prize money from the Government of Maharashtra, which will be divided equally between the director and the producer, each receiving Rs 5 lakh. The makers of the Marathi film Sangala will be awarded Rs 5 lakh from the Government of Maharashtra.
Mankap Nokwoham, a student at FTII, was awarded the PIFF special award, instituted by Polish filmmaker Ms. Maria Prochazkova.
The ceremony began with scintillating performances by a Dhol-Tasha group, followed by folk dance performances by students of MIT ADT University on Ghumar from Rajasthan, Bihu from Assam, and Gondhal from Maharashtra.
Here's what guests said
Chief Guest Dr. Rajendra Bhosale, the Municipal Commissioner of Pune, expressed his delight that the Closing Ceremony was held at the PMC’s theatre Bal Gandharva. He shared that he was glad to have allocated space for the PIFF team near Bal Gandharva. Dr. Bhosale said, “The film festival is a great platform for an exchange of ideas. It is commendable that PIFF is reaching remote places of Maharashtra as well as the country. I am very happy with the festival. The workshops will definitely help the film industry grow. I am also happy the international jury participated in PIFF.” He congratulated all the awardees and offered his support to help PIFF grow.
Dr. Dhananjay Sawalkar, Joint MD of Dadasaheb Phalke Chitra Nagri, appreciated the Pune Film Foundation for consistently organizing PIFF for the past 23 years. “The festival is a celebration of the art of movie making and storytelling, in addition to screening wonderful films,” he said, adding that, “The benefit of PIFF lies in fostering artist communities, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and fostering social understanding.” He remarked that the technological disruption in the industry is huge, and the people working in the industry need to keep themselves updated. He shared, “We are in the process of making a comprehensive policy for filmmakers with the help of experts. We are actively working on increasing the ease of doing business for filmmakers, the welfare of cine employees, and the growth of the culture of filmmaking. We are also working on increasing tourism in Maharashtra through films.”
The PIFF jury included Marco Bechis – Chilean-Italian film director and screenwriter, Margarida Gil – Portuguese filmmaker and educator, Petri Kotwica – Finnish filmmaker, Tamineh Milani – Iranian filmmaker and screenwriter, Djordje Stojiljkovic – Serbian cinematographer, Sudath Mahaadivulwewa – Sri Lankan film director, Urvashi Archana – South Indian actress, and Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury – Indian film director.
List of Winners at PIFF 2025
World Competition:
Government of Maharashtra "Prabhat" Best International Film award with a prize money of Rs 10 Lakhs is given to the film ‘ARMAND’ from Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel and produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar. The award is equally divided between the director and the producer of the film.
Government of Maharashtra "Prabhat" Best International Film Director award along with the prize money of Rs 5 Lakhs is given to Naomi Jaye for the film Darkest Miriam.
The Jury Special Mention Award goes to the film “APRIL”, directed by Déa Kulumbegashvili and produced by Ilan Amouyal and David Zerat.
The Jury Special Mention Award goes to the film “TO A LAND UNKNOWN”, directed by Mahdi Fleifel and produced by Mahdi Fleifel and Geoff Arbourne.
Marathi Competition:
The Government of Maharashtra “Sant Tukaram” Best International Marathi Film award with a prize money of Rs. 5 Lakhs is given to the film Sangala, directed and produced by Raoba Gajmal.
Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal Best Film Director award along with the prize money of Rs. 25,000, is given to Gajendra Ahire, the director of the film Snow Flower.
Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal Best Film Actor award, along with the prize money of Rs. 25,000, is presented to Anil Dabhade for the film Sangala.
Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal Best Actress award, along with the prize money of Rs. 25,000, is given to Chhaya Kadam for the film Snow Flower.
Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal Best Cinematographer award, along with the prize money of Rs. 25,000, is given to Amey Vasant Chavan for the film Raavsaaheb.
Jury Special Mention certificate is given to debut actress Swati Sadashiv Kadu for the film Nirjali.
Jury Special Mention certificate is given to debut actress Bhakti Ghogare for the film Giran.
