The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is all set to open on Thursday, ushering in a new chapter with its first-ever inaugural parade from the Entertainment Society of Goa office to the Kala Academy in Panjim.
The parade will be led by the state tableaus of Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, and Goa, each presenting a portrait of the state’s identity and imagination.
Marching alongside the states will be the cinematic tableaus from India’s leading production houses. The parade will also feature the NFDC 50 Years Tableau, honouring five decades of nurturing filmmakers and fostering cinematic innovation across the nation.
The annual event will see participation of more than 240 films from 81 countries, 13 world premieres, four international premieres, and 46 Asian premieres. The festival has received a record 2,314 submissions from 127 countries.
The festival will include international competitions, cultural showcases, masterclasses, tributes, and the WAVES Film Bazaar. It also includes 15 Competitive and Curated segments, including International Competition, Best Debut Feature Film of a Director, ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal, and special segments such as Macabre Dreams, Docu-Montage, Experimental Films, UNICEF, and Restored Classics.
The 56th IFFI itinerary has listed Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT), Waves Film Bazaar (19th edition), The Knowledge Series, CinemAI Hackathon, IFFIesta – Cultural Showcase and Masterclasses, Panels and Interactive Programmes.
A new initiative at IFFI 2025, the festival will also feature CinemAI Hackathon, being organised in collaboration with LTIMindtree and WAVES Film Bazaar. The programme focuses on AI-driven innovation in filmmaking—reinforcing IFFI’s commitment to advancing cinematic technology, simplifying certification processes, and strengthening anti-piracy frameworks.
Meanwhile, a specialized Film Appreciation Course was organised by the PIB Maharashtra and Goa, in collaboration with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), here today.
The course was conducted by FTII faculty members Dr Indranil Bhattacharya, Professor, Screen Studies & Research, and Prof Vaibhav Abnave, Associate Professor, Film Direction. Through lectures, film screenings, discussions and analytical exercises, the experts introduced participants to film form, cinematic history, and the aesthetics that shape global filmmaking traditions.