Cannes Winner ‘The President’s Cake’ Among 10 Films Competing for ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal at India’s IFFI Goa Festival

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa has unveiled the 10 films competing for the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal, an international honor that recognizes cinema promoting peace and inter-cultural dialogue. The films were selected from a pool of submissions from around the world and will be evaluated by a jury of international film experts. According to IFFI officials, the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal is presented in collaboration with the International Council for Film and Television (ICFT) Paris under the aegis of UNESCO, celebrating work that honors Mahatma Gandhi's vision of non-violence and peace. The award was instituted at IFFI's 46th edition and is considered a prestigious recognition of films that promote unity, tolerance, and human rights. Leading the lineup is Iraqi filmmaker Hasan Hadis' directorial debut, "The President's Cake," which won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. "We are honored to be part of this prestigious competition," said Hadis in a statement. "Our film is a reflection of the complexities of human relationships and the power of forgiveness, and we hope it resonates with audiences around the world." Other films competing for the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal include "My Camera, My Gun," a war documentary from Taiwan that explores the human cost of conflict, and "Do You Still Love Me," a drama series from India that tackles themes of love, family, and social justice. The ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal is part of IFFI's efforts to promote peace and inter-cultural dialogue through cinema. "We believe that film has the power to bring people together and promote understanding and empathy," said IFFI Director, Shrikant Bhasi. "We are proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to recognizing the best films that promote peace and non-violence." The 10 films competing for the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal will be evaluated by a jury of international film experts, who will select the winner based on their artistic and cultural merit. The winner will be announced at the closing ceremony of IFFI, which is scheduled to take place on November 15. The ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal is a significant recognition of the power of cinema to promote peace and non-violence. As the world grapples with increasing tensions and conflicts, the award serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting unity, tolerance, and human rights through art and culture.