The 22nd edition of the Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF), held with the financial support of the Tamil Nadu Government and organized by the Indian Film Critics Association, came to a grand close at Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai's Royapettah. The festival, which took place across multiple venues including PVR Royapettai, PVR Mylapore, and Russian House in Alwarpet, showcased a diverse range of films, with 180 movies from various countries being screened. The festival highlighted not just award-winning films but also films that had been featured at international film festivals, providing a rich cinematic experience for the audience.
The closing ceremony saw several awards being presented to recognize excellence in acting. Vijay Sethupathi won the prestigious Best Actor award for his performance in Maharaja, while Sai Pallavi claimed the Best Actress award for her role in Amaran. Arvind Swami received the "Most Popular Actor" award for his work in Meyyalagan, which resonated deeply with audiences. Dushara Vijayan was honored with the Best Supporting Actress award for her remarkable performance in Vettaiyan. Actor Dinesh was awarded Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lappu Pandu, and Ponvel won the Best Child Artist award for his performance in Vazhai.
The festival's closing ceremony highlighted the growing importance of regional cinema and its recognition on global platforms, with a diverse set of winners demonstrating the talent and creativity emerging from Indian cinema.
