PIFF 2009 was presented by the Govt. Of Maharashtra. This had the widest array of competitions and screenings. The delegates crossed 4300 mark while the figure of films was 160 and the countries rose to 43. There was another strong pointer towards the growing popularity of this event---Shri Ashok Chavan, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, announced the whole-hearted support of Government Of Maharashtra to PIFF and further added that it will now be a joint venture between the two. It was further declared that PIFF would be the official festival of Govt. Of Maharashtra. In this edition the lifetime achievement awards went to 3 stars from 2 different eras--- Sulochana, Shashi Kapoor and Hema Malini. This edition of the PIFF was a clear sign of its all round success.

PIFF 2009 AWARDS


INTERNATIONAL SECTION


1. PRABHAT BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM: LAKE TAHOE by Fernando Eimbcke
2. PRABHAT BEST INTERNATIONAL BEST DIRECTOR: Sergey Dvortsevoy for Tulpan
3. SPECIALE JURY AWARD: MACHAN & THE CLASS
4. BEST ACTOR (MALE) : Askahat Kuchencherekov for TULPAN
5. BEST ACTOR (FEMALE): Nadine Labaki for CARAMEL

MARATHI SECTION


1. SANT TUKARAM BEST INTERNATIONAL MARATHI FILM: GABHRICHA PAUS(THE DAMED RAIN) by Satish Manwar
2. SPECIAL JURY AWARD: GHO MALA ASLA HAWA & JOGWA in Marathi
3. BEST ACTOR: KISHOR KADAM for JOGWA & DUKKHACHE SHWAPAD
4. BEST SCREENPLAY: SACHIN KUNDALKAR for GANDHA
5. BEST DIRECTOR: PARESH MOKASHI for HARISHCHANDRACHI FACTORY

At the 6th PIFF the number of delegates has hit the 4000 mark receiving over-whelming response from the young cinema buffs. There were 8 additional sections besides two main competitions of the world cinema and Marathi cinema. The focus in this edition was on the main stream Indian cinema along with the country focus being on France, Germany and Hungary. In the retrospectives there were Shyam Benegal, Alexander Huge and Pedro Almodovar. Tributes were we also paid to great Masters : Ingmar Bergman, Michelangeo Antonioni, Nabendu Ghosh, G.P. Sippy and K.K. Mahajan. Comedy in European cinema was the Theme of the section. Gems from NFAI, Whistling Woods students competition was also finding its vigor. As usual the jury was international at this grand fest of 175 movies and 32 countries.

Awards

1. Sleepwalking Land ( Mozambique) was awarded the best film
2. Tingya won the award for the best International Marathi Film

In continuing with its streak that spelled ‘Wow’ after ‘Wow’ the 5th festival, PIFF 2007 went a notch up. With 200 shows across 7 screens it was an event that spoke about itself by its sheers class. The Inaugural Film was the Oscar Winner, Volver. PIFF 2007 had its share of gala ceremonies and glitterati. There were retrospectives of the great work by master Mani Ratnam ( India ), Krzystof Kieslowski ( Poland) and Helmut Kaunter (Germany). The country focus was on Slovenia, Hungary, Norway, South Africa, Germany and China. Short films in section Golden MIFF and diploma films from the students of FTII brought difference in the festival.

Life Time Achievement Awards

1. Asha Parekh
2. Dharmendra

Awards

1. Maharashtra Government Prabhat International Award for The Best Film- “The Old Barbar”
2. Maharashtra Government Prabhat International Award for The Best Director- “Mr. Costa Gavras” for the film- The Axe
3. Best Actor (Male) Award - “Jose Garcia” for the film The Axe
4. Best Actor (Female) Award- “Jingchu Zhang” for the film The Road
5. Sant Tukaram- Govt. of Maharashtra Best International Marathi Film Award- “Shevri- Wisp of Cotton”
6. Special Jury Award The special jury award goes to the Film “The Road” directed by Zhang Jiarui for the sensitive portrayal of a character’s personal and historical journey from innocence to acceptance of life in its totality.

This event inspired success for the Marathi films. The Govt. of Maharashtra announced 5 Lacs for the best Marathi film. Govt of Maharashtra announced The Sant Tukaram Best International Marathi Film awards of Rs. 5 Lacs. This was to be judged by an international Jury. Dombivali Fast grabbed the 1st award which further went on to win the Best Film Award in Los Angeles. There were gala ceremonies and a globally festive colour to every single programme.

The Life Time Achievement Awards

1. Yash Chopra
2. Vyjayantimala

Awards

1. Maharashtra Government Prabhat International Award for The Best Film- “L’enfant- The Child”
2. Maharashtra Government Prabhat International Award for The Best Director- Jean- Pierre & Lucdardenne for the film L’enfant- The Child
3. Best Actor (Male) Award – Jeremie Renier for the film L’enfant- The Child
4. Best Actor (Female) Award- Krystynafeldman for the film Moj Nikifor- My Nikifor
5. Sant Tukaram- Govt. of Maharashtra Best International Marathi Film Award- Dombivli- Fast
6. Inauguration Film- Japanese Story/ Australia

The PIFF came back with renewed vigour and enthusiasm in 2005 with more than 95 films, from 14 countries. This PIFF also paved the way for a bigger platform making it competitive and hence more involving. Significantly, Government of Maharashta, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Prabhat Cinema, announced cash awards in world competitions, introduced in two categories --- Rs.10 lacs for the Best International Film and Rs 5 lacs for the Best International Director. This edition rose to become the only International Film Festival in India with cash Awards in World Competition section. An international jury to judge the Best International film and International Director in the world Competition, completed the picture.

The festival was inaugurated by His Excellency S. M. Krishna, Governor of Maharashtra, and His Excellency Dominique Girard, Ambassador of France.

Smt. Waheeda Rehman and Shri Shakti Samanta were presented with the Lifetime Achievement by Shri Jaipal Reddy Hon. Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.

Some Oscar contenders were screened at this festival like - South Africa’s - Yesterday, Afghanistan’s - Earth & Ashes, and India’s – Shwaas. “Yesterday” won the Award for Best Film and the Best Director went to Josue Mendez for the film “Dias de Santiago” (Days of Santiago) Peru.

Special Jury Award for the Best Film went to “Earth and Ashes, Afghanistan/France, the Best Cinematographer Award was won by Mr. Yang Wei for the film “Endless Way” China, and the Best Actor award went to Mr. Arun Nalavade and Master Ashwin Chitale for the film “Shwaas”, India.

The International Jury comprised of : Chairman of the Jury - Mr. Milton Shefter (LA, USA), Jury members Mr. Ramses Marzouk (Cinematographer Egypt), Dan Wolman (Director – Israel), Ms. Pouran Derakshandeh ( Director – Iran).

Taking off from where it had left, PIFF 2003 had more than 80 pictures, from 10 countries. A clear pointer towards the slow, infectious popularity the event had begun to gain. The opening film was “No Man’s Land” (which won the Oscar for the Best Foreign Film) – a war film from Bosnia-Heerzegovina and the closing film was “Warriors of the Heaven and Earth” (A Japanese classic, with film theme composed by Mr. A.R.Rehman, India) The Lifetime Achievement awards were bestowed upon “Smt. Lata Mangeshkar” – the Nightingale of India and “Dev Anand” one of the multi-era stars Hindi Film has produced.

The first Pune International Film Festival was the 1st step towards a vision. The delegates enrolled, numbered 1800 who experienced this international festival. Over 50 movies were screened from 8 countries. A great director “Mrinal Sen” & a legendary actor “Dilip Kumar” were awarded the Lifetime Achievement award for their outstanding contributions, in the field of Indian cinema.

The Inaugural films that received wide acclaim at the festival was, “Grill Point” (German) – (Silver Bear and Special Jury Award Berlinale 2002) the film was presented by its director Andre Dresen, “Taking Sides” (Hungarian), Rain “The Son’s Room” & others received notable attention from the audiences.