I can see oodles of soothing and cheering among the officials and delegates. Including myself, all have had a wonderful time during this 11-day event, “it’s truly (was) a festival” as said one official, here on the final day of the 38th International Film Festival of India, 2007.

As wished-for, the festival will wrap up at Kala Mandir, after the final screening of the Portugal-Spain film Fados, directed by Carlos Saura.

Fados, is a musical-documentary featuring legendary singer Carlos do Carmo and contemporary artists Caetano Veloso, Lila Downs, and Chico Buarque. Full of dance routines, footage of Portugal’s revolutionary times and clips, and bringing together the lively cultures of Latin American with the Iberian Peninsula. A goodbye musical treat to the people of Portuguese-Goa.

Now the awards, although I think every movie is a winner in this festival. Each has a thoughtful message to the society we live in.

Director Mr. Lin Chih Ju bagged the best film award with the Golden Peacock trophy and a cash prize of $20,000 for the Taiwanese movie The Wall. The film won the top award for its delicately crafted and common approach about dreams, hope, disloyalty, and worship in a politically taxing time.

The most promising director prize went to Ms. Pongpat Wachirabunjong for her debut Thai movie Khaw Hai Rak Johg Jaroen (Me Myself) with the Silver Peacock and a cash award of $10,000. The film is about whether we have the freedom to choose our own life in the world which is full with discrimination, while distinguishing the complexity of being different.

The Special Jury Award has been shared by Mr. Golam Rabanny Biplab for story writing of the Bangladeshi movie Swopnodanay (Dreams) and the child artiste (Miss) Julia Urbini for her act in the Mexican movie Mas Que A Nada En El Mundo (More than Anything in the World). Each winner was presented a Silver Peacock medal, and a cash prize of $5000.

I am going to miss all the stars and guests who I think have already gone back to their respective “MovieWood.” I know I feel their nonattendance already. In the coming days, you’ll still find news about the IFFI as media will catch-up on all that has happened over the last eleven days.

At the end, festival Director Neelam Kapur in her vote of thanks said that the next IFFI would be held in the third week of November, 2008.

So until then, this is Bombay Sayed signing-off. Cheers!