The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will kick off in Goa on November 20, 2025, with groundbreaking initiatives including the world’s first AI Film Festival and a dedicated Hackathon exploring cinema-technology convergence. Superstar Rajinikanth will be honoured at the closing ceremony on November 28 for completing 50 glorious years in cinema, while centenary tributes will celebrate legendary filmmakers Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, Bhupen Hazarika, and Salil Chowdhury through restored screenings of classics like Musafir, Subarnarekha, and Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani.
Breaking tradition, there will be no formal inauguration; instead, a grand parade through Panaji streets will feature vibrant tableaux from major production houses, state governments, and cultural troupes nationwide. Over 240 films from 81 countries—including 13 world premieres, four international premieres, and 46 Asian premieres—will be showcased across nine days, with more than 50 women directors represented, underscoring the government’s Nari Shakti push. A record 2,314 submissions from 127 countries highlight IFFI’s rising global stature.
The festival will host 21 masterclasses and panels featuring luminaries such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Aamir Khan, Anupam Kher, Ravi Varman, Suhasini Maniratnam, and Sreekar Prasad, covering editing, acting in the digital era, and sustainability. OTT awards return to recognise streaming excellence, while the Film Bazaar empowers young creators through technology and international co-production opportunities. Festival Director Shekhar Kapur emphasised storytelling’s role in fostering cross-cultural peace.
Also Read: Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal’s Baby Boy Arrives — Fans Celebrate the Happy News
With Indian films outperforming Hollywood in markets like Australia and new measures against piracy and simplified certification on the horizon—including an Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat certificate for multi-language releases—IFFI 55 positions itself as a celebration of innovation, inclusivity, and India’s enduring cinematic dominance on the world stage.
Also Read: Salman Khan Shares Shirtless Photos With Motivational Caption, Fans Flood Comments