57th IFFI 2026 Set to Transform Goa into a Vibrant Cinematic Destination: Delilah Lobo, Vice Chairperson ESG

PANJIM: Delilah Lobo, Vice Chairperson, Entertainment Society of Goa, urged all movie lovers, Goan film makers and students of Mass Communication to attend the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which is set to transform Goa into a vibrant cinematic destination, with nine days of film screenings across 13 indoor screens at four locations.

From the bustling festival hub of Panjim, with seven screens across INOX, Maquinez, Samrat and Ashoka, to the INOX screens at Porvorim, and the iconic Ravindra Bhavan in Margao and Magic Movie in Ponda, the festival promises an immersive cinematic experience for film enthusiasts. With diverse screening spaces and a combined seating capacity of over 4,000, IFFI will bring the magic of world cinema closer to audiences across Goa.

Free Open-Air Beach Screenings and Accessible Cinema Experience

Now you can enjoy movies with your family at the beach. The screening is in the open air and free. I encourage all to experience the best of the cinema world has to offer,” said Delilah Lobo.

“We have also made arrangements to transport the physically challenged to friendly venues to enjoy movies in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. I urge students interested in film-making to avail of the opportunity and learn from the Masterclasses,” said Delilah Lobo, Vice Chairperson, Entertainment Society of Goa.

IFFI 2026 Masterclasses and Workshops at Kala Academy

IFFI 2026 will host 14 sessions at Kala Academy from 21 to 27 November 2026, featuring masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, retrospectives, in-conversation and interview sessions.

The sessions will bring together filmmakers, artists and industry professionals to explore subjects ranging from documentary cinema and filmmaking across borders to women shaping world cinema, storytelling, casting, subtitling and emerging cinematic practices.

Ashutosh Gowariker Highlights the Theme ‘Stories Without Borders’

Festival Director Ashutosh Gowariker explained the theme ‘Stories Without Borders’, highlighting cinema’s power to transcend geographical, linguistic and cultural boundaries and connect audiences through universal human emotions and storytelling.

“The language and country don’t matter as long as you identify and love the film at the IFFI. The sub-titles are there to read in languages understood by all. This IFFI we bring a first for all to witness,” informed Ashutosh.

Fatherland to Open the 57th International Film Festival of India

The opening film, Fatherland, directed by Paweł Pawlikowski, follows Nobel laureate Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika as they travel through post-war, divided Germany in 1949, exploring the political and personal divisions of the time. The film received the Best Director Award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and was also nominated for the Sydney Film Prize 2026.

I Matter Selected as the Mid-Fest Film at IFFI 2026

The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2026 will showcase I Matter, directed by Alina Șerban, as its Mid-Fest Film. A 101-minute film co-produced by Romania, Germany and Belgium, it features dialogues in Romanian and Romani, bringing a diverse European cinematic perspective to the festival.

Gala Premieres to Feature Films from 87 Countries

“The Gala Premieres segment will feature 14 screenings, with participation from 87 countries showcasing a curated selection of films and providing audiences an opportunity to experience diverse cinematic stories and acclaimed filmmaking,” informed Festival Director Ashutosh Gowariker.

Animation and Films About Films Introduced as New Segments

The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2026 has introduced two new segments this year to broaden its cinematic offerings and celebrate diverse forms of storytelling. The first segment, Animation, will feature five outstanding films, showcasing creativity and innovation in animated cinema. The second segment, Films About Films, will also present five films and has been introduced in response to suggestions from renowned filmmakers, with the objective of bringing the art and craft of filmmaking to the forefront.

BRICS Cinema to Get Special Focus at IFFI 2026

Another key highlight of the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2026 will be its special focus on BRICS cinema. India’s Ramayana will be the opening film of the BRICS segment, which will showcase films from all 11 member countries, along with contributions from partner countries, offering audiences an opportunity to explore diverse cinematic traditions and storytelling from across the BRICS nations.

76 Films to Be Showcased Under Indian Cinema Section

“Total 76 films are being showcased under Indian Cinema section in 18 different languages, reflecting the country’s diverse storytelling traditions and creative excellence.

The selection process received 404 feature film submissions& the non-feature category received 358 submissions. The Best Web Series (OTT) category received 46 eligible entries,” informed Ashutosh Gowariker .

Dhurandhar and Becoming to Open Indian Panorama Section

The Indian Panorama section of the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2026 will open with Dhurandhar, a Hindi feature film, and Becoming, a Ladakhi-language non-feature film. Bringing together films from two distinct linguistic and cinematic backgrounds, the opening selection reflects IFFI’s vision of celebrating India’s diverse storytelling traditions and showcasing cinema without borders.

Seven International Films to Compete in Best Debut Feature Films Competition

The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) presents the Best Debut Feature Films Competition, featuring seven films from different countries, celebrating emerging filmmakers and fresh cinematic perspectives from across the world. The competition includes Fading Man from Germany, The Sledge from India, Paris from Belgium, The Black Sea from Egypt, L’Âge d’Or (The Golden Age) from France and Italy, Birds on Ice from India, and Atlantic from China. The competition provides an international platform for first-time feature film directors to showcase their talent, gain wider recognition and connect with global audiences, while highlighting IFFI’s commitment to encouraging new voices and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers.

IFFI 2026 to Celebrate 52 Women Filmmakers and 62 Debut Filmmakers

Celebrating fresh perspectives and diverse storytelling, the 57th IFFI will bring together 52 women filmmakers and 62 debut filmmakers, reflecting the expanding creative landscape of Indian and international cinema. The competitive sections will further spotlight 10 women filmmakers and 12 debut filmmakers, underscoring the festival’s commitment to amplifying women’s voices, nurturing new talent and providing a global platform for the next generation of cinematic storytellers.

Creative Minds of Tomorrow to Feature 100 Young Filmmaking Talents

The sixth edition of Creative Minds of Tomorrow will bring together 100 selected participants across 13 filmmaking crafts.

The programme will feature specially curated masterclasses, workshops, in-conversation sessions, a 48-hour filmmaking challenge and the CMOT Talent Camp. Participants will engage with leading filmmakers and industry professionals, pitch creative concepts and explore opportunities across the media and entertainment industry.

WAVES Film Bazaar to Promote Global Film Industry Collaboration

WAVES Film Bazaar will bring together filmmakers, producers, buyers, distributors and industry stakeholders to facilitate collaboration, co-production and business opportunities.

Read Also- Goa Ready to Welcome Global Cinema Community for 57th IFFI: CM Pramod Sawant

The Bazaar will welcome 150 invited guests, including buyers and production houses. Its key initiatives will include the Screenwriters’ Lab, Co-production Market, Viewing Room and Work-in-Progress Lab.

Netflix to Support VFX Talent Development at WAVES Film Bazaar

Netflix, the Knowledge Series partner at WAVES Bazaar, will support industry capacity-building and showcase its collaboration with the Government to strengthen India’s VFX capabilities and nurture a future-ready talent pipeline. Its participation will also feature the Gala Premiere of Pushpak Viman, an international screening of Ray Gunn and engagement in pitching sessions to support emerging creative talent and foster industry opportunities.

IFFI 2026 to Honour Legends of Indian Cinema on Birth Centenaries

IFFI 2026 will celebrate the birth centenaries of eminent personalities of Indian cinema, paying tribute to legendary filmmakers Shakti Samanta and Raj Khosla, actors Uttam Kumar, Suryakant Mandhare, Prem Nazir and Raj Kumar, and renowned music composers O. P. Nayyar and Ravi. The festival will honour their exceptional contributions to Indian cinema and their enduring legacy in shaping the country’s cinematic and musical heritage.

We Are All Strangers to Close the 57th IFFI 2026

The closing film of the 57th IFFI, We Are All Strangers, directed by Anthony Chen, represents Singapore and has a runtime of 157 minutes. Presented in Mandarin and English, the film brings the festival to a close with a distinctive cinematic offering from contemporary Singaporean cinema.