Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa is gearing up to host the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) from November 20 to 28, with the state government allocating approximately ₹30 crore for the event. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said preparations are in place for the festival, which will be held under the theme ‘Stories Without Borders’.
The inauguration ceremony will take place at Shyama Prasad Stadium, while Shigmo and Carnival parades will form part of the festival’s attractions. Film screenings and related activities will be organised across Panaji, Porvorim, Margao and Ponda.
According to Sawant, the festival will showcase 154 international films from 86 countries. Spain has been designated as the country of focus, while Russia will be the partner country. The programme will also feature 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films under the Indian Panorama section.
The festival is expected to draw significant international participation, with more than 7,000 delegates from 87 countries registering for the event. NFDC Managing Director Dhiraj Singh said film submissions have been received from 137 countries, reflecting the growing global reach of IFFI.
This year’s edition will also highlight the work of 52 women filmmakers and 62 debut filmmakers, while presenting 41 premieres across different categories. Two new sections, Animation and Films About Films, have also been introduced to broaden the festival’s cinematic offerings.
Beyond film screenings, IFFI will host 14 knowledge sessions and the 20th edition of the Waves Film Bazaar. The marketplace will offer opportunities through co-production platforms, screenwriting labs and technology showcases, connecting filmmakers and industry professionals.
Sawant said IFFI has become an important platform for strengthening Goa’s cultural identity and boosting tourism and local businesses. He added that the state is working towards establishing a film city through the public-private partnership (PPP) model, expressing confidence that the project would materialise in the future.
The Chief Minister said the festival provides a valuable opportunity for emerging filmmakers and local talent to interact with the international film industry, while further positioning Goa as a destination for cinema and cultural tourism.
