Cinema VinesThe 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is set to convene filmmakers, cinema lovers and creative professionals from around the globe in Goa from 20 to 28 November 2026, under the banner “Stories Without Borders.” The festival has attracted more than 1,900 film submissions representing 137 countries and will present over 150 international titles from 86 nations, underscoring its expanding global footprint and commitment to cross‑cultural dialogue and cinematic excellence.
In a landmark announcement, the opening film for the Indian Panorama section will be Paweł Pawlikowski’s “Fatherland.” The Polish director’s feature, which earned the Best Director Award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and earned a nomination for the Sydney Film Prize, follows Nobel laureate Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika as they traverse post‑war, divided Germany in 1949, probing both political and personal fissures of the era.
The festival’s opening night will also feature “Ramayana,” which will kick off the BRICS segment, highlighting the epic’s cultural resonance across the bloc’s member states. Meanwhile, “The Kerala Story 2” has been selected for the prestigious International Competition, adding a strong domestic voice to the lineup.
The inaugural Curtain Raiser Press Conference took place on 13 November at the Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. Goa’s Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant opened the event, unveiling the extensive programme that celebrates both Indian and international cinema. He praised Goa’s long‑standing association with IFFI, describing the festival as an integral part of the state’s cultural identity and calendar, and highlighted the government’s preparations—including screening venues, transport, hospitality and public facilities—to welcome the global film fraternity.
The press event was attended by a host of distinguished figures: M Delilah M. Lobo, Vice Chairperson of the Entertainment Society of Goa; Chanchal Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Krishna Kumar, Chairperson of NFDC; Ashutosh Gowariker, Festival Director of IFFI 2026; Prabhat, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Madhur Bhandarkar, Chairperson of the Feature Film Jury; Himanshu Shekhar Khatua, Chairperson of the Non‑Feature Film Jury; Deepak Mandekar, CEO of the Entertainment Society of Goa; Dheeraj Singh, Managing Director of NFDC; and Smita Vats Sharma, DG West Zone PIB.
The festival will also showcase “I Matter,” directed by Alina Șerban, as its Mid‑Fest Film. This 101‑minute co‑production between Romania, Germany and Belgium features dialogues in Romanian and Romani, bringing a distinctive European perspective to the event.
The Gala Premieres segment will host 14 screenings, drawing participation from 87 countries. This curated selection aims to provide audiences with a rich tapestry of stories and acclaimed filmmaking from around the world.
Spain has been named the Country of Honour for IFFI 2026, with four Spanish films slated for inclusion, further emphasizing the festival’s commitment to celebrating diverse cinematic traditions.
