Goa Set to Get ‘IFFI’fied: 56th International Film Festival of India Begins Tomorrow
Grand Opening Parade, new AI-driven initiatives, cultural showcases and global cinema to light up Goa for the next nine days
The Impressive TimesGoa is once again buzzing with excitement as the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) begins its much-awaited nine-day extravaganza from 20 to 28 November 2025. With the theme of creative brilliance, modern innovation and cultural celebration, IFFI 2025 promises to outshine its earlier editions. Designed with a blend of exclusivity and inclusivity, this year’s festival is poised to deliver one of its most memorable cinematic journeys yet.
The festival will commence tomorrow with a historic and spectacular Opening Parade, transforming the streets of Goa into a moving canvas of India’s film heritage. The grand parade will feature majestic tableaus from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Goa, as well as stunning displays by iconic Indian film studios. A special NFDC tableau will honour 50 years of cinematic excellence.
Adding vibrance, “Bharat Ek Soor” featuring 100 folk artists will bring together diverse dance traditions of India in a single rhythmic celebration. Popular characters like Chhota Bheem, Chutki, Motu Patlu and Bittu Bahanebaaz will add nostalgia and delight for audiences, especially children.
As the colourful procession unfolds, it will symbolize more than the beginning of the festival—it will embody India’s lifelong love for storytelling. Each tableau and performance will radiate the cultural heartbeat of a region, ensuring that IFFI 2025 begins like a grand cinematic poem.
The festival offers 15 curated and competitive verticals including:
International Competition
Best Debut Feature Film of a Director
ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal
Macabre Dreams, Docu-Montage, Experimental Films, UNICEF, Restored Classics
Alongside these, the festival includes:
Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT)
19th Waves Film Bazaar
The Knowledge Series
CinemAI Hackathon
IFFIesta – Cultural Showcase
Masterclasses, Panels & Interactive Sessions
Out of 799 entries, 124 young creators across 13 film crafts have been selected. This also includes 24 wildcard winners from the CIC Challenge at WAVES 2025.
South Asia’s biggest film market returns with:
300+ film projects
22 feature films & 5 documentaries in the Co-Production Market
USD 20,000 in cash grants
WFBR: 22 curated films
Delegations from 7+ countries
Incentive showcases from 10+ Indian states
A Tech Pavilion highlighting next-gen VFX, CGI, animation & digital film tech
In partnership with LTIMindtree, this first-of-its-kind segment aims to promote AI-driven innovations in filmmaking, streamline certification, and bolster anti-piracy systems.
A four-day cultural celebration from 21–24 November, between 6–8 PM at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Auditorium, featuring vibrant live performances that highlight India’s creative diversity.
IFFI 2025 will pay homage to cinematic legends on their centenaries:
Guru Dutt
Raj Khosla
Ritwik Ghatak
P. Bhanumathi
Bhupen Hazarika
Salil Chowdhury
Special screenings include:
Musafir (Salil Chowdhury)
Subarnarekha (Ritwik Ghatak)
Superstar Rajinikanth will be honoured at the closing ceremony for completing 50 glorious years in cinema.
To ensure smooth execution, Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, reviewed all IFFI venues in Panaji today.
In essence, Goa stands ready to be ‘IFFI’fied for the next nine days as India welcomes one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic celebrations of cinema.
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