A nine-day showcase of films, technology, culture, and collaboration set to redefine India’s premier film festival
The 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) is set to take place from 20 November to 28 November 2025, marking yet another milestone in India’s most prestigious cinematic celebration. Continuing its commitment to nurturing regional filmmaking talent, the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) will present its annual showcase dedicated to Premier and Non-Premiere films produced by Goan directors and producers across both Feature and Non-Feature categories. This special section has become a hallmark of IFFI’s programming, offering Goan creators a prominent platform before international delegates, industry leaders, and the wider cinephile community.
This year, ESG received a total of 17 submissions, representing a diverse spectrum of stories, genres, and filmmaking styles. Following rigorous evaluation, the appointed jury selected five standout films for presentation at the festival. ESG extended its appreciation to the three jury members- P. Sheshadri (Chairman of the Jury), Priya Krishnaswamy, and Rajeev Bhatia-each of whom is a distinguished figure within the Indian film industry. Their expertise and critical insights played an essential role in identifying films that demonstrate narrative depth, creative expression, and technical finesse.
ESG also congratulated all participating directors, producers, cast, crew members, and everyone involved behind the scenes, acknowledging the collective commitment required to bring each film to completion. The organisation emphasised that selection for IFFI represents not only an artistic achievement but also a meaningful moment of recognition for Goa’s growing filmmaking ecosystem.
Films Selected for IFFI 2025
Goan Director’s Cut
- ZERO BULB, directed by Soham Prasad Bhende (Non-Feature, Premiere)
- HALAD, directed by Sobita Kudtarkar (Non-Feature, Premiere)
- My Dad Invented the Vadapav: Ashok Vaidya and Sons, directed by Sainath Uskaikar (Non-Feature, Non-Premiere)
Goan Producer’s Cut
- Meraki, By the Sea, produced by Dr. Gwendolynn De Ornelas (Non-Feature, Premiere)
- Ghar, produced by Sahit Studios LLP (Non-Feature, Premiere)
Festival Experiences, Public Participation, and Accessibility Initiatives
In addition to film screenings, IFFI 2025 will introduce a range of cultural, entertainment, and engagement-driven activities across Goa. These initiatives are designed to involve residents, visiting delegates, and tourists, contributing to the state’s festive atmosphere throughout the nine-day event. 
Key public activities include:
- Open-air screenings at Miramar Beach, Ravindra Bhavan Fatorda, and the Vagator Beach parking (Helipad) area, allowing audiences to enjoy cinema in scenic coastal spaces.
- The IFFI Mile, stretching from the ESG complex to the Kala Academy, will feature installations, exhibition stalls, and interactive experiences for people of all ages.
- The IFFI Parade, scheduled for 20 November 2025, will serve as a lively alternative to the traditional opening ceremony. This parade will include Shigmo and Carnival-themed floats, paying tribute to Goa’s cultural vibrancy.
- Free transportation for festival delegates, including rickshaws, pool cars, and KTC electric buses, operating from 8:30 AM until the final film screening each day.
- Three dedicated bus routes to enhance mobility and access for attendees:
* Miramar Circle ↔ Inox Porvorim
* Miramar Circle ↔ Magic Moviez Ponda
* Miramar ↔ Ravindra Bhavan Margao
These measures reflect ESG’s commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and visitor convenience; key components that support IFFI’s reputation as a globally respected film festival.
The Grand IFFI Float Parade (20 November 2025)
The ceremonial opening highlight of IFFI 2025 will be the IFFI Float Parade, kicking off at 3:30 PMfrom the Old GMC Building and concluding at the Kala Academy. The theme for this year’s parade, “Celebrating Indian Cinema, India on the Global Platform, and the Future of Cinema,”; underscores both India’s rich film heritage and its continuing global ambitions.
Segment 1: Goan Cultural Floats Competition
Twelve Goan groups will participate in this segment, presenting floats that represent local artistry, folklore, creativity, and craftsmanship. These floats bring together music, performance, and design, offering a colourful glimpse into Goan identity.
Awards for Segment 1:
* 1st Prize: Rs 3,50,000
* 2nd Prize: Rs 3,00,000
* 3rd Prize: Rs 2,50,000
* 4th Prize: Rs 2,00,000
* 5th Prize: Rs 1,50,000
* 5 Consolation Prizes: Rs 1,00,000 each
* Additional remuneration of Rs 30,000 for all non-winning float groups
Segment 2: Promotional Floats
This segment will showcase floats developed by production houses, media organisations, and creative industry stakeholders. These promotional floats highlight filmmaking innovation, storytelling trends, and the contributions of various institutions to the cinematic landscape.
Awards for Segment 2:
* 1st Prize: Rs 2,50,000
* 2nd Prize: Rs 2,00,000
* 3rd Prize: Rs 1,50,000
* 4th Prize: Rs 1,25,000
* 5th Prize: Rs 1,00,000
Remuneration of Rs 30,000 for non-winning participants
Romtamel Competition (21–25 November 2025)
As part of IFFI’s broader cultural programming, the traditional Romtamel performance competition will take place from 21 to 25 November, showcasing ten of Goa’s finest Romtamel groups. This segment highlights traditional Goan performance art and contributes to the festival’s mission of celebrating regional heritage.
Prizes include:
* 1st Prize: Rs 3,00,000
* 2nd Prize: Rs 2,50,000
* 3rd Prize: Rs 2,00,000
* 4th Prize: Rs 1,75,000
* 5th Prize: Rs 1,50,000
* 5 Consolation Prizes: Rs 1,00,000 each
Inflatable Theatres at IFFI: A Landmark Collaboration with NFDC, ESG, and PictureTime Digiplex
In a significant technological and experiential leap, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) have collaborated with PictureTime Digiplex, the trailblazer in mobile digital theatres, to introduce state-of-the-art inflatable theatres at IFFI 2025.
PictureTime, known for bringing accessible cinema experiences to underserved communities via portable theatres, will set up a cutting-edge inflatable cinema at the Kala Academy; one of IFFI’s central venues. This initiative will enrich the festival’s diversity of screening environments while offering audiences an innovative way to experience cinema.
The inflatable theatres will feature films across four categories:
* Inspirational Films
* Indian Panorama Classics
* Nostalgia Cinema
* Children’s Cinema
For the first time, three iconic Shah Rukh Khan films; Chak De! India, Darr**, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge; will be screened in these inflatable cinema spaces. The line-up also includes acclaimed titles such as 12th Fail, Manjummel Boys, Srikanth, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Uunchai, Salaam Bombay!, Qissa, and classics including Shatranj Ke Khilari, Teesri Manzil, Chandni, and Kala Patthar.
In addition, PictureTime will curate daily screenings for schoolchildren, featuring films such as Kaphal: Wild Berries, Gattu, Banarasi Jasoos, The Prince and the Crown of Stone, and Naal 2, ensuring the festival remains educational and youth-inclusive.
Beyond Kala Academy, PictureTime will expand access by organising open-air screenings in multiple locations across North and South Goa, enabling a broader segment of the population to engage with festival programming.
Sushil Chaudhary, Founder & CEO of PictureTime Digiplex, expressed pride in partnering with NFDC and ESG, noting that their association with IFFI goes back to 2017 through the Bioscope Village initiative. He emphasised that bringing mobile digital theatres to a globally recognised festival demonstrates how far the technology has evolved—from rural outreach to sophisticated festival deployment. Chaudhary highlighted that PictureTime’s mission is to democratise cinema by offering high-quality viewing experiences to communities everywhere, and IFFI provides a powerful platform to showcase that vision.
The Kala Academy inflatable theatre is expected to draw over 1,000 visitors per day, while open-air screenings across Goa are projected to attract 300–400 viewers daily at each participating site.
