Panaji: The Norwegian film “Safe House”, directed by Eirik Svensson, has received the prestigious ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025). The honour recognises cinema that promotes peace, non-violence, and intercultural dialogue. The award was accepted by Manouj Kadaamh, Honorary Representative of ICFT–UNESCO Paris, and presented by NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum.
Set during the 2013 civil war in the Central African Republic, the film unfolds over 15 tense hours inside a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Bangui. Inspired by real events, Safe House portrays the courage, ethics, and responsibility of aid workers confronted with life-or-death decisions in a war zone. Through its real-time storytelling, the film highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the challenges of offering care amid violence, according to a PIB India release.
The ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal, instituted in collaboration with the International Council for Film, Television, and Audiovisual Communication (ICFT) and UNESCO, honours films that uphold values of tolerance, cultural understanding, and peace.
The jury praised Safe House for its authentic depiction of moral courage and humanitarian values under pressure. They also noted its emotional depth, real-time narrative, and the powerful lead performance by Kristine Kujath Thorp. The film’s portrayal of ethical dilemmas faced by aid workers and its universal themes of compassion, responsibility, and the importance of human life contributed to its selection.
Director Eirik Svensson, known for films such as One Night in Oslo and Harajuku, continues to gain international recognition. Safe House premiered as the opening film at the 48th Göteborg Film Festival 2025, where it earned the Audience Dragon Award for Best Nordic Film.
With this recognition, IFFI reaffirms its commitment to showcasing global cinema that inspires unity, empathy, and dialogue, highlighting the transformative role of films in connecting cultures and communities.
