:Mumbai, July 25, 2026

The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, in association with the Government of Goa and the Entertainment Society of Goa, has invited entries for the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2026. Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker will serve as the Festival Director for the 57th edition.

Entries are invited for Indian Panorama, the Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film Award, the Best Web Series (OTT) Award, and three competitions under the International Cinema section. Interested applicants may refer to the official IFFI website for eligibility criteria, submission guidelines and rules.

Indian Panorama to Showcase the Best of Contemporary Indian Cinema

Introduced in 1978, Indian Panorama is a flagship component of IFFI that showcases the finest contemporary Indian cinema. The 57th edition will feature 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films.

The New Horizons section will present up to five unreleased Indian feature films of exceptional merit. In addition, five films nominated for the Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film Award will be screened to encourage emerging filmmakers. The award carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh and a certificate.

The Best Web Series (OTT) Award recognises excellence in storytelling on Indian digital platforms and promotes original content in Indian languages. The award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and a certificate.

The last date for online submission of entries for Indian Panorama and the Best Web Series (OTT) Award is August 10, 2026, while signed hard copies and supporting documents must be submitted by August 17, 2026.

International Cinema Section Opens Entries for Global Competitions

The International Cinema section will feature the Main International Competition, the Competition for the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director, and the Competition for the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal, carrying a combined prize money of ₹1.36 crore.

Apart from the competition categories, the festival will present specially curated sections such as From Festivals Worldwide, Mission LiFE, Emerging Filmmakers, Restored Classics, Documentaries, Animation and Experimental Films, showcasing acclaimed cinema from across the world.

The last date for submission of entries to the International Cinema section through FilmFreeway is August 31, 2026.

About International Film Festival of India (IFFI)

Established in 1952 and recognised by the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF) as a Competitive Film Festival, IFFI is Asia’s oldest international film festival. It continues to provide a global platform for cinematic excellence, cultural exchange and meaningful engagement among filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences.

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PIB Mumbai | Robin Singh/Parshuram Kor

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