57th IFFI to Be Held in Goa Under ‘Stories Without Borders’ Theme

The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be held in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2026, under the theme “Stories Without Borders”, highlighting cinema’s capacity to cross geographical and cultural boundaries.

Films and festival programme

A curtain-raiser press conference on November 13 at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon unveiled the festival’s highlights. Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker has been appointed Festival Director. The festival will open with Polish filmmaker Paweł Pawlikowski’s Fatherland, while Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar will open the Indian Panorama segment. Spain is the Guest Country as part of the Spain-India Dual Year 2026. The festival will screen 159 films from 86 countries, selected from about 1,400 submissions.

Competitions and new award

The new Best Web Series (OTT) Award will recognise digital storytelling and carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and a certificate. Other competitions include the International Competition, the Best Debut Feature Film Competition and the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal.

Important Facts for Exams

• Joint administration: IFFI is conducted jointly by the National Film Development Corporation of India and the Government of Goa.
• Competitive status: IFFI became competitive from its third edition, held in January 1965.
• Indian Panorama origins: IFFI’s Indian Panorama section was instituted at the sixth festival, held in 1977.