Panaji, Nov 20: Showcasing diverse traditions, the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened with a Kashmir tableau soon after the hosts, Goa, paraded through the streets here in Panaji on the banks of the Mandovi River on Thursday.
The Kashmir tableau showcased the cultural traditions of Kashmir, with men wearing the traditional Kashmiri cap and Kameez Shalwar, and women dressed in Pherans (long cloaks) featuring Tilla embroidery work, playing the Roaf, and singing traditional Kashmiri songs.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Loganathan Murugan, said that IFFI continues to evolve with every edition, and this year’s cultural carnival showcases the diverse traditions of states.
He said that 124 new film creators from all over the country and abroad had got an opportunity to showcase their talent to the world through their content production and storytelling.
A total of 270 films from 81 countries will be screened during IFFI 2025, with Japan being the country of focus this year.
IFFI 2025 celebrates the theme ‘Convergence of Creativity and Technology’, and this year, for the first time, IFFI includes an AI Hackathon, encouraging filmmakers to use AI for content development and filmmaking.
Inaugurating the celebrations, the Governor of Goa, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, said, “IFFI’s stature is growing globally with the festival becoming a meaningful platform for creative exchange, new collaborations, and the celebration of cinematic excellence.”
Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, in his address, said that IFFI has made Goa the creative capital of India.
On the occasion, legendary Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna was honoured for his 50 glorious years in Cinema.
Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Sanjay Jaju, highlighted the unique features of this year’s edition, including numerous international and global premieres.
This year’s IFFI also has another new addition – the largest-ever WAVES Film Bazaar, positioning IFFI at the forefront of creativity, technology, and industry innovation.
During the inauguration of the WAVES Film Bazaar, Director IFFI and a famous Bollywood filmmaker known for his films ‘Mr India’ and ‘Bandit Queen’ said that he was expecting 1,00,000 people to visit Goa during IFFI 2025.
“Last year, we had 50,000 visitors during the festival,” he said.
Veteran Bollywood actor, on the occasion, celebrated the selection of his three films – Tanvi the Great, The Bengal Files, and the Canadian film Calorie in the festival.
During the formal inaugural ceremony’s parade, marching alongside states and union territories were grand cinematic tableaus from India’s leading production houses like the Zee Studios and Ultra Media that paid centenary homage to Guru Dutt, the Bollywood legend known for his skills as an actor, director, choreographer, writer, and producer.
Over a hundred artists from 16 states and union territories participated in the inaugural parade, besides hundreds of artists from host Goa.
Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Shripad Yesso Naik and an assembly of filmmakers, creators, global industry leaders and cinephiles also attended the event.
Started in 1952, IFFI continues to be South Asia’s oldest and largest celebration of cinema.
Jointly hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), and the State Government of Goa, the festival has grown into a global cinematic powerhouse over the years.
The festival also witnesses restored classics, while filmmakers also come up with their bold experiments.
Attending the festival is particularly rewarding for those interested in pursuing filmmaking as a career.
It provides an opportunity for first-timers to share space with legendary maestros.
IFFI provides international competitions, cultural showcases, masterclasses, tributes, and the high-energy WAVES Film Bazaar, providing an opportunity for ideas, deals, and collaborations to take flight.
Being staged against Goa’s stunning coastal backdrop, IFFI 2025 will conclude on November 28.
IFFI 2025 also coincides with 50 years of the National Film Development Corporation of India.
