Dev Patel, Daniel Wu, JJ Pantano, Sunny Deol, and ‘Just a Farmer’ Among 2024 IFFA Award Winners

The 2024 International Film Festival of Australia (IFFA) Awards were held in Melbourne this month, drawing high-profile names from Hollywood, Australia, Asia, and Bollywood. Held at the Palms at Crown, the event celebrated the best in global cinema, with winners on the night including Dev Patel, Daniel Wu, Cristiana Dell’Anna, JJ Pantano, and Sunny Deol.

Among the evening’s biggest winners, the Australian film Just a Farmer triumphed with three major awards: Best International Feature Film, Best Supporting Actress for Susan Pryor, and Best Cinematography for Gavin Head. The film’s powerful story and stunning cinematography made it a standout, with the cast and crew thanking the audience for their support and emphasizing the powerful message behind the film.

Other key awards included Force of Nature: The Dry 2, which won Best Screenplay for Robert Connolly and Jane Harper. The gripping sequel continues the saga of Aaron Falk and further solidified their strong partnership in the Australian film industry.

Dev Patel won Best International Director for his directorial debut, Monkey Man, a gritty drama praised for its raw and unflinching portrayal of a man’s struggle with redemption. This win marks a significant milestone in Patel’s career as he transitions from acclaimed actor to filmmaker.

Daniel Wu earned Best Supporting Actor for his nuanced performance in Decoded, playing the complex character Rong Xiaolai in the tense thriller. The role further cemented Wu’s reputation as one of the most versatile actors in both Hollywood and Asian cinema.

Bollywood legend Sunny Deol was named Best International Actor for his powerful performance in Zee Television, continuing his legacy of captivating audiences with his commanding presence on screen.

Cristiana Dell’Anna, won Best International Actress for her standout portrayal in Cabrini, a film that explores deep emotional complexities. Her performance was widely hailed as one of the finest of the year.

Other notable wins included JJ Pantano, who claimed Best Emerging Child Actor for his strong portrayal in Unsung Hero, and Harrison J. Thomas, who took home Best Short Film by Youth Under 18 for his poignant exploration of youth and identity in Melody. In the documentary category, Joy of Art by Takaya Onishi was awarded Best Documentary for its moving exploration of how art transforms lives. Meanwhile, Morteza Halimi’s visually captivating A Robot’s Dream won Best Animation.

The evening also recognized the best in short films, student films, and youth-driven content. Among the winners were The Wandering Island, which claimed Best International Short Film, and Raj Sisodia for Best Short Film Director for Papa Aur Smartphone Movie.

A number of industry figures were in attendance including, actor James Pratt, who presented the Best International Feature Film Award, Home and Away star Paul O’Brien, actor Damian Walshe-Howling, Arcadian actress Samantha Coughlan and actress Louise Child. The evening also featured a live performance by Australian musician Cody Simpson.

IFFA 2024 Winners

Feature Films:

Best International Feature Film – Just a Farmer

Best International Actor – Sunny Deol (Zee Television)

Best International Actress – Cristina Dell'Anna (Cabrini)

Best Supporting Actor – Daniel Wu (Decoded)

Best Supporting Actress – Susan Pryor (Just a Farmer)

Best Emerging Child Actor – JJ Pantano (Unsung Hero)

Best International Director – Dev Patel (Monkey Man)

Best Screenplay Writer – Robert Connolly & Jane Harper (Force of Nature: The

Dry 2)

Best Cinematography – Gavin Head (Just a Farmer)

Short Films:

Best International Short Film – The Wandering Island

Best Actor in a Short Film – Joel Pierce

Best Actress in a Short Film – Priyanka Nomula

Best Short Film Director – Raj Sisodiaa (Papa Aur Smartphone Movie)

Best Screenplay Writer for a Short Film – Chris Beadnell (The Note Movie)

Documentaries:

Best Documentary – Takaya Onishi (Joy of Art)

Youth Films:

Best Short Film by Youth Under 18 – Harrison J. Thomas (Melody)

Student Films:

Best Student Film – The Murder

Animation:

Best Animation – Morteza Halimi (A Robot’s Dream)