New Delhi: The International Film Festival of India is gearing up for its 56th edition, which will take place in Goa from November 20 to 28, bringing together an expansive lineup of films, cultural events and innovative industry platforms. Established in 1952, the festival continues to stand as South Asia’s only FIAPF-accredited competitive film festival, drawing filmmakers and audiences from around the world.
This year’s edition marks an enhanced international presence. Japan leads as the Country of Focus with a curated showcase of six contemporary films. Spain joins as the Partner Country, while Australia features as the Spotlight Country, each contributing exclusive screenings, collaborative programmes and cultural exchanges. The festival will present more than 240 films from 81 countries, including 13 world premieres, 5 international premieres and 44 Asian premieres, selected from a record 2,314 global submissions.
The opening film will be The Blue Trail by Brazilian filmmaker Gabriel Mascaro, an award-winning title from the Berlinale 2025 lineup. The festival’s Gala Premieres section will feature 18 films, with a mix of world, Asian and India premieres, bringing together prominent artists on the red carpet. Three major international competition categories will highlight 32 films, including acclaimed titles from major global festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlinale and Busan.
A strong set of curated segments will return this year, including Docu-Montage, Experimental Films, From the Festivals, Rising Stars, Restored Classics, UNICEF and Cinema of the World. Special tributes mark the centenaries of Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, Bhupen Hazarika and Salil Chowdhury, accompanied by restored screenings of classics such as Subarnarekha and Musafir. The festival will also honour Rajinikanth’s 50-year journey in cinema at the closing ceremony.
Indian Panorama 2025 features 25 feature films, 20 non-feature films and five debut works, with Amaran selected as the opening feature. Over 50 films directed by women and more than 50 debut directors reflect the festival’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity. Awards for emerging talent include the ₹5 lakh Best Debut Indian Director honour and a ₹10 lakh prize for the Best Web Series.
This year also sees a major expansion of the WAVES Film Bazaar, a globally recognised co-production and content development platform. The marketplace will host co-production pitches, screenwriting labs, work-in-progress labs and a growing viewing room, along with country showcases and industry panels. Dedicated international pavilions and industry delegations will contribute to a broader global footprint.
Adding to the cultural experience, the inaugural IFFIESTA will bring four evenings of live performances, including concerts, band competitions and theatre-led showcases between November 21 and 24. Meanwhile, the first-ever CinemAI Hackathon will introduce an AI-driven creative challenge, where selected teams produce short films using artificial intelligence tools and compete for awards across multiple categories.
Over the decades, the festival has evolved into a cultural institution that bridges Indian and world cinema, drives creative collaboration, and strengthens India’s growing presence in global filmmaking. With its combination of heritage tributes, cutting-edge innovation, diverse programming and new cultural layers, IFFI 2025 aims to offer audiences not just a cinematic event but an immersive celebration of creativity, technology and global storytelling.
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