The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is set to take place in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2025 where more than 240 films from 81 countries, will be showcased with 13 world premieres, 4 international premieres, and 46 Asian premieres. The festival this year received a record 2,314 submissions from 127 countries, underscoring IFFI’s growing prominence on the global festival circuit.
“IFFI 2025 marks a significant chapter as it embraces inclusivity and diversity, showcasing voices from all corners of the world while spotlighting Indian regional cinema’s rich tapestry. By introducing programmes focused on emerging filmmakers and digital storytelling, IFFI is nurturing platforms that champion new talent and celebrate the evolution of filmmaking in the digital age,” said Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Information and Broadcasting.
The Opening Film of IFFI 2025 is Brazilian auteur Gabriel Mascaro’s THE BLUE TRAIL, a sci-fi and fantasy feature which follows a 75-year-old woman whose defiant voyage, through the Amazon becomes a quiet manifesto on freedom, dignity, and the right to dream. The film won the Silver Bear, Grand Jury Prize at Berlin International Film Festival 2025.
Japan is the Country of Focus for IFFI 2025.
IFFI 2025 will celebrate centenaries and honour legendary filmmakers Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, Bhupen Hazarika, and Salil Chowdhury by showcasing their masterpieces.
Amaran (Tamil), directed by Rajkumar Periasamy is the Opening Film for Indian Panorama in Feature and Kakori for non feature section.
For Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) the number of Selected participants have increased from 75 to 124, covering 13 filmmaking crafts, including three new crafts this year. The programme includes a 48-hour filmmaking challenge in collaboration with ShortsTV.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Anupam Kher, Christopher Charles Corbould, Aamir Khan, Ravi Varman, Kushboo Sundar, Bobby Deol, Suhasini Maniratnam, Pete Draper and Sreekar Prasad among others will have masterclasses at IFFI this year.
The festival will screen prominent international award winners and festival favorites, including titles that triumphed at Cannes, Berlinale, Locarno and Venice. Some names include It Was Just An Accident (Palme d’Or, Cannes), Father Mother Sister Brother (Golden Lion, Venice), Dreams (sex Love) (Golden Bear, Berlin), Sirât (Grand Jury Prize, Cannes), The Message (Silver Bear, Jury Prize, Berlin), No Other Choice (People’s Choice Award, TIFF), Gloaming in Luomu (Best Film, Busan) and Fiume o Morte! (Tiger Award, IFFR).
Rajinikanth will be felicitated in the closing ceremony for completing 50 years of his cinematic journey.
