IFFI Goa 2025, 01: Birds eye view aka drone view

IFFI Goa 2025, 01: Birds eye view aka drone view

It’s that time of year when cineastes who can healthy and can afford to travel will be heading to the tourist paradise of Panaji, Goa, not for browsing the beaches of Goa but the brochures and schedules of the 56th International Film Festival of Goa, 2025. IFFI 2025 will be held in Goa from November 20-28, carrying forward the festival’s legacy as South Asia’s only FIAPF (the international body that grants recognition to film festivals that meet its requirements)-accredited competitive film festival, since 1952, when it was first held in Mumbai.

The festival, which was a travelling one for many years, found its permanent home in Goa, in 2004, where it is jointly organised by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG). Till a couple of years ago, the festival was mainly organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), which has, since, been dissolved. Its role has been taken over by the NFDC.

The 56th edition deepens the festival’s international partnerships, with Japan as the Country of Focus, presenting a panoramic showcase of six contemporary Japanese films, across genres and forms. Spain joins as the Partner Country, while Australia enters the festival as the Spotlight Country, each bringing curated packages, institutional collaborations and cultural programmes that enrich global dialogue.

IFFI 2025 presents a lineup of 240+ films from 81 countries, including 13 world premieres, 5 international premieres, and 44 Asian premieres. A record 2,314 submissions from 127 countries reflects the festival’s expanding global resonance. The opening film — The Blue Trail by Brazilian auteur Gabriel Mascaro, winner of the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at Berlinale 2025 — sets the tone for an edition defined by bold storytelling and cinematic ambition.

The Gala Premieres segment will present 18 titles, including 13 World Premieres, 2 Asia Premieres, 1 India Premiere and 2 Special Showcase screenings. The red carpet will welcome a distinguished line-up of artists and filmmakers.

Three major international competitions will feature 32 films from five continents, bringing some of the year’s most celebrated titles to Indian audiences for the first time. IFFI will also present award-winning films from Cannes, Berlinale, Venice, Locarno, TIFF, Busan and IFFR, reinforcing its role as India’s gateway to outstanding contemporary cinema.

This year’s programming includes nine curated sections — Docu-Montage, From the Festivals, Rising Stars, Mission Life, Experimental Films, Restored Classics, Macabre Dreams, UNICEF, and Cinema of the World. In total, IFFI will present 15 competitive and curated segments, including the International Competition, Best Debut Feature Film of a Director, and the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal.

Celebrating legacies central to Indian cinema, IFFI 2025 will honour the centenaries of Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, Bhupen Hazarika and Salil Chowdhury. Restored masterpieces like Musafir and Subarnarekha will offer audiences rare encounters with cinematic heritage.

IFFI 2025 will honour legendary actor Rajinikanth, for completing 50 years in cinema, marking a milestone that celebrates his enduring influence on Indian film culture. He will be felicitated at the Closing Ceremony, recognising his iconic body of work, widespread popularity, and contribution to shaping Indian storytelling across decades.

The Indian Panorama 2025 will present 25 feature films, 20 non-feature films and 5 debut features. The Opening Feature Film is Amaran (Tamil), while the Opening Non-Feature Film is Kakori.

A special New Horizons segment will screen up to five curated titles, selected for their fresh cinematic approaches.

Inclusivity is at the heart of IFFI this year, with 50+ films directed by women, and 50+ debut works being showcased. The Best Debut Indian Director Award carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, and the Best Web Series Award will honour excellence in streaming content with ₹10 lakh.

The Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) programme continues to expand, with 799 entries this year and 124 selected participants representing 13 filmmaking crafts. The 48-hour filmmaking challenge with ShortsTV is a core highlight.

Festival attendees can look forward to 21 masterclasses and panel discussions, featuring among others, Christopher Charles Corbould OBE, Bobby Deol, Aamir Khan, Suhasini Maniratnam, Pete Draper, Sreekar Prasad and others — covering story craft, acting, editing, cinematography, VFX, AI and the future of filmmaking.

India’s flagship film market—formerly known simply as Film Bazaar and now reimagined as WAVES Film Bazaar—has grown, since 2007, into one of the most influential co-production and content-discovery platforms in Asia. Held annually alongside IFFI, it has become the meeting ground where Indian storytellers, global producers, festival curators, technology partners and investors converge to shape the films of tomorrow.

The 19th edition brings a significantly expanded and more dynamic marketplace from 20–24 November 2025. This year’s Bazaar strengthens its global footprint with:

A robust Co-Production Market for features and documentaries, including curated projects shortlisted for international financing and festival circulation. The Screenwriters’ Lab, Work-in-Progress Lab and a rapidly growing Viewing Room, enabling producers and sales agents to discover new voices across diverse languages and genres. A re-energised Knowledge Series featuring pitching sessions, country and state showcases, and practical workshops on production, distribution and emerging storytelling tools. Enhanced international participation through dedicated pavilions, delegations and stalls, showcasing incentives from over ten Indian states and several partner nations.

Making its debut this year, IFFIESTA introduces a vibrant cultural layer to the 56th edition of IFFI. IFFIESTA 2025 will bring together four evenings of vibrant music, expressive live performances, and cultural storytelling from 21st – 24th November in Goa. Designed as a celebration of sound and stagecraft, the festival will offer audiences a chance to experience everything from contemporary indie music to classical artistry and live theatrical moments. With young talents, seasoned performers, and diverse genres coming together, IFFIESTA aims to create an atmosphere where people can enjoy, participate, and feel part of a shared cultural experience.

Hosted by the WAVES Film Bazaar, in partnership with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and LTIMindtree, the CinemAI Hackathon is the first-ever AI film hackathon to be held as part of the 56th edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI). It brings together art, technology and ethical innovation in storytelling.

The Hackathon is open to individuals or teams (up to 5 members), globally, aged 18 and above. Submissions began on 1 November 2025, with a deadline of 10 November. Final shortlisted teams will be announced in a day or two. Ten shortlisted teams will partake in a 48-hour creative sprint during IFFI (theme revealed on 20 Nov). Each must conceptualise, produce and edit a 1-2-minute short film, entirely using AI tools. Five awards will be on offer, each worth more than Rs. 1,00,000. Winning films will premiere at IFFI Goa and be featured on NFDC and LTIMindtree platforms.