57th IFFI Preparations Reviewed at First Steering Committee Meeting in New Delhi

57th IFFI Preparations Reviewed at First Steering Committee Meeting in New Delhi

New Delhi, August 22, 2026: Preparations for the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) were reviewed at the first meeting of the festival’s Steering Committee, held on August 21 at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, and focused on strengthening the festival’s international profile and ensuring a high-quality experience for filmmakers, delegates and cinema enthusiasts.

The 57th edition of IFFI is scheduled to take place in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2026. During the meeting, Dr. Murugan outlined the Government’s vision of making the festival a stronger platform for young students, emerging filmmakers and lesser-known creative professionals. He stressed the need to provide new talent with opportunities to showcase their work, interact with established personalities and build connections with the international film community.

The Minister also highlighted the role of the creative sector in India’s economic growth, noting that the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, under the leadership of Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, is pursuing initiatives aimed at expanding the country’s Orange Economy. He called for greater emphasis on masterclasses, mentorship programmes and structured interactions with experienced filmmakers, alongside efforts to showcase the breadth and diversity of Indian cinema.

International engagement emerged as another key focus of the meeting. The Steering Committee discussed efforts to bring acclaimed films, filmmakers, artists and creative professionals from different parts of the world to IFFI. The festival is being positioned not only as a celebration of cinema but also as a platform for professional networking, creative collaboration and cultural exchange between Indian and international film communities.

Dr. Murugan also acknowledged the contribution of the Government of Goa to IFFI’s continued development and recalled the role of former Goa Chief Minister late Shri Manohar Parrikar in establishing the state as an important destination for international cinema. He appreciated Chief Minister Shri Pramod Sawant for his continued support in strengthening the festival and its arrangements.

Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Chanchal Kumar, said IFFI should serve as a flagship platform for India’s expanding creative economy and promote stronger collaboration between domestic and international creative communities. He also stressed the importance of providing a seamless and professionally managed experience for filmmakers, delegates, guests and cinephiles attending the festival.

During the meeting, NFDC Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum presented an overview of preparations and initiatives planned for the 57th edition. Festival Director and filmmaker Shri Ashutosh Gowariker welcomed the committee’s recommendations, particularly those relating to masterclasses, opportunities for young filmmakers, selection of outstanding films and participation by leading creative personalities from India and abroad.

The Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Goa, briefed the committee on preparations being undertaken by the state and assured that necessary arrangements would be completed in time. Members of the Steering Committee also stressed the need for sustained coordination between the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, NFDC, the Government of Goa and other stakeholders to ensure the successful conduct of the festival.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, filmmakers and members of the Steering Committee, including Shri Chanchal Kumar, Shri Ashutosh Gowariker, Shri Prakash Magdum, and representatives and noted personalities such as Bhavna Kher, Ram Sampath, Aparna Purohit, Prerna Singh, Namitha, Suhasini Maniratnam, Abhishek Jain, Santosh Sivan, Gaurav Banerjee, Aditya Bhat, Prashant Chothani and Dharam Gulati. The committee expressed confidence that the 57th IFFI would further strengthen its position as an international platform for cinema, creativity, cultural exchange and global collaboration.