Overview
- Organisers named David Bim’s To the West in Zapata the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger winner for Best Film in the International Competition: Innovation in Moving Images.
- Lalith Rathnayake was awarded Best Director for Riverstone, with the honour presented during Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s surprise appearance at the closing ceremony.
- Goutam Ghose received a Lifetime Achievement Award tied to FIPRESCI’s centenary, and he accepted the top film award on Bim’s behalf due to the director’s visa-related absence.
- Local outlets reported cash awards that included Rs 51 lakh for Best International Film, Rs 21 lakh for Best Director, and Rs 7 lakh for the Hiralal Sen Memorial Award.
- Other key honours included Bijoyee Japoner Patkatha as Best Indian Documentary, Porshi as Best Film in the Bengali Panorama, and Sivaranjini’s Victoria as the NETPAC Best Indian Film.