The partnership is for Empowering India’s Creative Talent and Strengthen Global Storytelling
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, 13 November, 2026: The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has brought together filmmakers, cinema enthusiasts and creative voices from across the world in Goa under the theme ‘Stories Without Borders’.
WAVES Film Bazaar
WAVES Film Bazaar has brought together filmmakers, producers, buyers, distributors and industry stakeholders to facilitate collaboration, co-production and business opportunities.
IFFI 2026 will celebrate the birth centenaries of eminent personalities of Indian cinema
The Bazaar has invited 150 guests, including buyers and production houses. Its key initiatives include the Screenwriters’ Lab, Co-production Market, Viewing Room and Work-in-Progress Lab.
Netflix, the Knowledge Series partner at WAVES Bazaar, is supporting industry capacity-building and showcasing its collaboration with the Government to strengthen India’s VFX capabilities and nurture a future-ready talent pipeline. Its participation also features the Gala Premiere of Pushpak Viman, an international screening of Ray Gunn and engagement in pitching sessions to support emerging creative talent and foster industry opportunities.
The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has brought together filmmakers, cinema enthusiasts and creative voices from across the world in Goa from 20 to 28 November 2026, under the theme ‘Stories Without Borders’. Reflecting its growing global reach, the festival has received over 1,900 film submissions from 137 countries and will showcase more than 150 international films representing 86 countries, creating a vibrant platform for cross-cultural exchange, diverse storytelling and cinematic excellence.
The Curtain Raiser Press Conference of the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2026, held at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, Goa, was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, who unveiled the festival’s expansive programme celebrating Indian and international cinema. Expressing pride in Goa’s association with IFFI, he described the festival as an integral part of the state’s cultural identity and calendar. He also highlighted the state government’s preparations to welcome the global film fraternity, with arrangements for screening venues, transport, hospitality and public facilities.
The Curtain Raiser Press event was also attended by Ms. M Delilah M. Lobo, Vice Chairperson, Entertainment Society of Goa, , Shri Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Shri Krishna Kumar, Chairperson, NFDC, and Shri Ashutosh Gowariker, Festival Director, IFFI 2026, Shri Prabhat, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Shri Madhur Bhandarkar, Chairperson, Feature Film Jury; Shri Himanshu Shekhar Khatua, Chairperson, Non-Feature Film Jury; Shri Deepak Mandekar, CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa; and Shri Dheeraj Singh, Managing Director, NFDC, & Smita Vats Sharma, DG West Zone PIB.
Centenary Celebrations
IFFI 2026 will celebrate the birth centenaries of eminent personalities of Indian cinema, paying tribute to legendary filmmakers Shakti Samanta and Raj Khosla, actors Uttam Kumar, Suryakant Mandhare, Prem Nazir and Raj Kumar, and renowned music composers O. P. Nayyar and Ravi. The festival will honour their exceptional contributions to Indian cinema and their enduring legacy in shaping the country’s cinematic and musical heritage.
Festival Director Ashutosh Gowariker explained the theme ‘Stories Without Borders’, highlighting cinema’s power to transcend geographical, linguistic and cultural boundaries and connect audiences through universal human emotions and storytelling.
Indian Panorama
Total 76 films are being showcased under Indian Cinema section in 18 diffrent languages, reflecting the country’s diverse storytelling traditions and creative excellence.
The selection process received 404 feature film submissions& the non-feature category received 358 submissions. The Best Web Series (OTT) category received 46 eligible entries.
