Panjim erupted into colour, rhythm and cinematic splendour as the 56th International Film Fes tival of India (IFFI)–2025 opened with a grand cul tural float parade, turning the Capital city’s waterfront into a celebration of global cinema. As the floats rolled for ward, each telling stories of India’s artistic diversity and cinematic evolution, the festival felt less like an inau guration and more like the start of a cultural movement. Inaugurating the festiv ities, Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju ap plauded IFFI’s growing global footprint. “IFFI has become a meaningful plat form for creative exchange, new collaborations, and the celebration of cinematic ex cellence,” he said, emphasis ing that Goa’s cosmopolitan spirit and cultural depth make it a natural gathering place for film lovers from across the world. He noted that the festival has long transcended its role as a conventional cin ematic showcase —emerg ing instead as a crucible for ideas, stories, and cre ative talent. From nurtur ing young filmmakers to honouring veteran artistes, IFFI, he said, continues to cement India’s standing as a global hub for film and the creative industries. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, addressing film makers and cinephiles, highlighted Goa’s evolution into an international film making destination. “Goa stands ready with world class infrastructure, and this is why it has become IFFI’s permanent home,” he said. “Our scenic beauty draws filmmakers, but it is our strong policy reforms that keep them coming back.” Sawant underscored this year’s theme — Con vergence of Creativity and Technology — as a reflec tion of India’s leadership in the global creative revolu tion. Pointing to significant policy reforms, he said Goa is steadily becoming the country’s most filmmak er-friendly state. He highlighted: Goa Film Finance Scheme, offering up to Rs 50 lakh in fund ing based on film category; revised shooting rules de signed for quicker clear ances and ongoing efforts toward a single-window system for all filming per missions Union Minister of State for Information and Broad casting Dr L Murugan de scribed the 2025 opening as a reinvention of tradi tion. “Earlier, the festival be gan at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium. This year, it opens as a grand cultural carnival, showcas ing the diverse traditions of our States,” he said. He echoed the Prime Minister’s emphasis on India’s expanding Orange Economy, driven by Con tent, Creativity and Culture, and referenced initiatives like the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) that are nurturing new creative talent nation wide. Dr Murugan also paid tribute to the late Manohar Parrikar for his pivotal role in establishing Goa as IFFI’s permanent home. Sanjay Jaju, Secretary in the Ministry of Infor mation and Broadcasting, spotlighted the scale and innovation of this year’s edition. “For the first time, IFFI opens with a grand carnival celebrating India’s cultural heritage,” he said. “This edition features the largest-ever collection of films—representing nearly 80 countries—along with numerous international and global premieres,” he added. IFFI, he said, is evolving into a platform that shapes the future of cinema as much as it celebrates its past. n one of the evening’s most emotional moments, legendary actor Nandamuri Balakrishna was honoured for 50 years in cinema—five decades that transformed and enriched Telugu cine ma. His tribute ceremony drew applause from an au dience that spanned conti nents. The festival opened with Gabriel Mascaro’s dystopi an drama The Blue Trail, known in Portuguese as O Último Azul. The Brazilian film’s haunting narrative and bold cinematic lan guage set the perfect tone for a festival celebrating in novation, imagination, and global storytelling.
IFFI 2025 Opens with Grand Cultural Parade as Goa Celebrates Global Cinema
