Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Goa is gearing up to host the 56th International Film Festival of India from November 20 to 28, transforming the state into a vibrant hub of cinema, culture and creative exchange. With preparations in their final stages, this edition promises an expansive blend of film screenings, artistic showcases and industry-focused programmes.
The festival will open with a colourful parade that will animate Goa’s streets with cinematic themes and regional artistry. Tableaus from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Goa will lead the procession, accompanied by distinctive displays from major film studios and a commemorative segment marking fifty years of the National Film Development Corporation. A large ensemble titled Bharat Ek Soor, featuring a hundred folk performers from across India, will add depth and diversity to the spectacle. Popular characters such as Chhota Bheem, Chutki, Motu Patlu and Bittu Bahanebaaz will bring an element of nostalgia and charm for younger audiences.
Beyond the ceremonial start, IFFI 2025 will present fifteen competitive and curated film sections, including the International Competition, Best Debut Feature Film of a Director, the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal, and specialised line-ups such as Macabre Dreams, Experimental Films, Docu-Montage, UNICEF selections and restored classics. The schedule also includes the Creative Minds of Tomorrow programme, which selected 124 emerging creators from 799 entries across thirteen filmmaking disciplines.
The 19th edition of the Waves Film Bazaar will again serve as a key meeting ground for industry professionals. More than 300 projects will be showcased through lab sessions, market screenings and co-production platforms. Delegations from multiple countries, film incentive displays from several Indian states and a dedicated pavilion on advanced production technologies will contribute to a dynamic marketplace environment.
New to this year’s festival is the CinemAI Hackathon, organised in partnership with LTIMindtree and Waves Film Bazaar. The initiative aims to encourage innovation in filmmaking through artificial intelligence, with an emphasis on smoother certification processes and stronger anti-piracy solutions.
Cultural programmes will run through the festival under the banner IFFIesta, presenting live performances and creative arts at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Auditorium from November 21 to 24. This edition will also honour the centenaries of eminent artists including Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, Raj Khosla, Bhupen Hazarika and Salil Chowdhury, whose landmark works will be screened. Veteran actor Rajinikanth will be felicitated at the closing ceremony for completing fifty years in cinema.
With detailed reviews of venues and arrangements completed by officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Goa is set to welcome nine days of cinematic celebration in an atmosphere of creativity and cultural pride.
