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If India's film festival calendar had a crown jewel, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) would be wearing it. A heavyweight on the global cinema circuit, the much-loved IFFI has been bringing the film fraternity from more than a hundred countries to Indian shores since 1952. And, nearly three-quarters of a century on, it's still very much one of the biggest players in the league.
At the helm this year is celebrated filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, who will be chairing the festival. He's the man behind some of Indian cinema's most memorable stories: Lagaan, Swades, Jodhaa Akbar, et al. The festival's theme, however, takes a decidedly borderless turn: Stories Without Borders.
Beyond the international showcases and the films tucked into its non-competitive sections, IFFI has a rather serious bit of business to attend to: WAVES Film Bazaar.
Here is everything you should know about IFFI Goa 2026, happening between November 20-22, 2026.
What to expect?
The festival's competitive categories include the International Competition, ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal Award, Best Debut Feature Film of a Director and other coveted honours. For filmmakers, a win here is no small feather in the cap. After all, a victory could put your name alongside those of the illustrious personalities previously honoured by IFFI, including Martin Scorsese, Carlos Saura, Hema Malini and others.
Expect this year’s winners to be announced at the closing ceremony.
The festival's off-screen programme is quite the attraction in its own right. There's a packed calendar of Masterclasses, In Conversation sessions, Panel Discussions, Retrospectives, Round Tables, Plenaries, Virtual and Hybrid Sessions, and Conferences.
And, of course, there's a red carpet Gala Premiere with the usual: cameras, couture, celebrity spotting.
What films should you look out for?
IFFI's programming caters to everyone, from hardcore cinephiles who love debating the finer points of filmmaking (don't ask why!) to curious moviegoers simply looking for their next great watch.
The serious cinematic showdown takes place in the International Competition, with some awards to fight for. Then there's the Non-Competitive Section, for those who prefer their cinema without the pressure of winners and runners-up. Its various sections include:
- Rising Stars
- Docu-Montage
- Experimental Films
- Restored Classics
- Cinema of the World
- Macabre Dreams
- Mission LiFE
- UNICEF @IFFI
The Focus Country Showcase features contemporary cinema from Spain, this year's Focus Country, alongside a presentation of Australian films. Meanwhile, the Indian Panorama section showcases feature and non-feature films selected for their cinematic and aesthetic excellence.
Spanning several Indian languages, the selection is made by the IFFI Indian Panorama Jury. Films in languages other than English are presented with English subtitles, making the showcase accessible to a wider audience.
How to get your IFFI passes?
Delegate passes are priced at ₹1,180, with two categories to choose from:
- Film Professional: Comes with five film tickets.
- Cine Enthusiast: Allows four film tickets per day.
A lovely perk alert: festival access comes free with a student pass.
The main festival events will take place at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, while film screenings will be spread across various cinema halls in Panaji.
One thing we'd strongly recommend adding to your festival itinerary is the open-air screenings. There's something rather magical about watching at one of its many beaches, such as Vagator, Anjuna and Mirama.
WAVES Film Bazaar: Where cinema meets commerce
Think of it as the business end of the cinematic fest, where creative ideas meet industry muscle. It's a hub for film professionals, producers, investors and emerging talent to network, collaborate and explore new opportunities.
A special highlight this year is the WaveX Startup Pavilion at WAVES Bazaar, an initiative by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The pavilion is inviting applications from DPIIT-registered startups working in film and allied technology domains. Selected startups will get an exclusive platform to showcase their products, technologies and solutions to India's film and media industry, as well as international players.
What's the story behind IFFI?
Established in 1952, the International Film Festival of India is among Asia's oldest international film festivals and is officially recognised by the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations (FIAPF).
Over the decades, it has evolved into an important meeting ground for filmmakers, producers, artists and cinema lovers from across the globe.
Goa has been its home since 2004, with the festival organised jointly by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Government of Goa and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG).
And so, every year, Panaji transforms into a meeting point for cinematic cultures, creative conversations and stories that travel far beyond borders.