**Executive Summary**
The Vietnamese film "Skin of Youth" has been awarded the Golden Peacock Award for Best Feature Film at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI)-2025. The award was presented at the closing ceremony on November 28, 2025, in Goa, by the Chief Minister of Goa and the Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs. The film, directed by Ash Mayfair, tells a powerful tale of transgender identity, love, and resilience.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Award Details:**
* The Golden Peacock Award for Best Feature Film at IFFI-2025 was awarded to "Skin of Youth."
* The film is directed by Ash Mayfair and produced by Trần Thị Bích Ngọc, Ash Mayfair, Fran Borgia.
* The award includes a Golden Peacock Trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs. 40,00,000.
* **Film Overview:**
* "Skin of Youth" is set in 1990s Saigon and explores the romance between San, a transgender sex worker, and Nam, an underground cage fighter.
* The film addresses themes of love, sacrifice, and challenges faced by the transgender community.
* Fifteen fiction feature films competed for the Golden Peacock Award at IFFI 2025.
* **IFFI Information:**
* IFFI is jointly hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), State Government of Goa.
* The 56th edition of IFFI was held from November 20–28.
**Impact Analysis**
**Director and Producers**
* **Impact:** Recognition for their work and a shared cash prize of Rs. 40,00,000, along with the trophy and certificate.
* **Action Required:** Receive the award and share the cash prize.
**Transgender Community**
* **Impact:** The film highlights the struggles and experiences of the transgender community, raising awareness and promoting understanding.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly mentioned, but the community may see themselves represented and feel validated by the film.
**Journalists, Bloggers, and Vloggers**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to connect with filmmakers for interviews/interactions.
* **Action Required:** Reach out to iffi.mediadesk@pib.gov.in with the subject line: Take One with PIB.
Key Entities Referenced
International Film Festival of India (IFFI): Annual film festival held in India showcasing international cinema. In this case, the 2025 edition.
Golden Peacock Award: Most prestigious award given at IFFI for Best Feature Film. 'Skin of Youth' won it at IFFI-2025.
Skin of Youth: Vietnamese film that won the Golden Peacock Award at IFFI-2025.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: Indian government ministry co-hosting IFFI along with NFDC and ESG.
Goa: Location where IFFI takes place, specifically Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium for the closing ceremony.
✨ IFFI closes but never ends…
Vietnamese film “Skin of Youth” bags the most prestigious ‘Golden
Peacock’ Award for Best Feature Film of IFFI-2025
Skin of Youth: A Powerful Tale of Transgender Identity, Love, and Resilience
#IFFIWood, 28 November 2025
Ladies and gentlemen…
Get on your toes, charge the air, and unleash those power claps!
IFFI’s crown jewel, the Golden Peacock is all set to find its new nest!
The Vietnamese film “Skin of Youth” bags the most prestigious award of IFFI, the ‘Golden
Peacock’ for Best Feature Film at a glittering Closing ceremony today in Dr. Shyama Prasad
Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Goa. The award was presented by the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod
Sawant and the Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr.
L. Murugan.
Director Ashleigh Mayfair and Producer Trần Thị Bích Ngọc, Ash Mayfair, Fran Borgia will share the
Golden Peacock Trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs. 40,00,000.🏆 Golden Peacock – Best Feature Film at #IFFI2025 goes to the film 'Skin
of Youth' directed by Ash Mayfair,#GoldenPeacock #IFFI56 #IFFIGoa pic.tw
itter.com/PL77hTZPzF
— PIB in Goa 🇮🇳 (@PIB_Panaji) November 28, 2025
Set in 1990s Saigon, the film explores the intense romance between San, a transgender sex worker
dreaming of a sex-change surgery, and Nam, an underground cage fighter who fights to support her
son. San is determined to live as a woman, while Nam endures brutal fights to earn money for her
surgery. Their love faces harsh challenges as they confront violent underground worlds, societal
prejudices, and the dark forces, that will cost them their relationship.
Commenting on the film, the Jury said, “Captivating from the very first frame, with inspired
cinematography and bold production design, the Director draws extraordinary performances from the
two remarkable leads. Every element—evocative music, skilful editing, and meticulous craft—comes
together seamlessly. Bold and brave, stunning and stylish, this film explores love and sacrifice in a
world few of us ever glimpse. It is a work that will linger in our minds for a long time to come.”
While talking about the film at a Presser earlier, Director Ashleigh Mayfair said, “It is a deeply personal
story. I am one of the three siblings, and my younger sibling is a transgender. The film explores her
journey—her dignity, her rights, her fears, and her identity. In her story, I believe many in the
transgender community will see themselves.”
This year, fifteen fiction feature films, representing a vibrant landscape of global cinema were
competing for the coveted Golden Peacock Award.
Watch the trailer here:NNYYAAFFFF2244:: SSKKIINN OOFF YYOOUUTTHH || ỒỒnn ààoo ttuuổổii ttrrẻẻ ddiirreecctt……
Check out their interaction with the media during a Press Conference here:
PPrreessss CCoonnffeerreennccee ooff tthhee mmoovviieess SSoonnggss ooff AAddaamm,, SS……
Watch the Closing Ceremony:
LLIIVVEE -- CCLLOOSSIINNGG CCEERREEMMOONNYY OOFF IIFFFFII--22002255 PPAANN……
About IFFIBorn in 1952, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) stands tall as South Asia’s oldest and
largest celebration of cinema. Jointly hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC),
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India and the Entertainment Society of Goa
(ESG), State Government of Goa, the festival has grown into a global cinematic powerhouse—where
restored classics meet bold experiments, and legendary maestros share space with fearless first-
timers. What makes IFFI truly sparkle is its electric mix—international competitions, cultural
showcases, masterclasses, tributes, and the high-energy WAVES Film Bazaar, where ideas, deals and
collaborations take flight. Staged against Goa’s stunning coastal backdrop from November 20–28, the
56th edition promises a dazzling spectrum of languages, genres, innovations, and voices—an
immersive celebration of India’s creative brilliance on the world stage.
For more information, Click on:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2193856®=3&lan
g=2
IFFI Website: https://www.iffigoa.org/
PIB’s IFFI Microsite: https://www.pib.gov.in/iffi/56/
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