Tag Archives: IFFI 2026

IFFI 2026 Highlights Malayalam Cinema with Prem Nazir Tribute and New-Age Filmmakers

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The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will celebrate the legacy of Malayalam cinema while showcasing contemporary filmmakers and emerging storytelling trends during its upcoming edition in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2026.

The festival will feature a special centenary tribute to legendary actor Prem Nazir, alongside screenings of recent Malayalam films across different sections. Filmmaker and actor Basil Joseph and playback singer K. S. Chithra will also participate in special sessions during the festival.

Prem Nazir’s Centenary to Be Marked with Screening of Thulabharam

A major attraction for Malayalam cinema audiences will be the screening of Thulabharam, as part of IFFI’s centenary celebrations honouring distinguished personalities in Indian cinema.

The film is associated with Prem Nazir, widely remembered as the evergreen romantic hero of Malayalam cinema. The screening will offer audiences an opportunity to revisit his contribution to Indian cinema and celebrate a legacy that continues to hold cultural significance.

Sarvam Maya and Other Malayalam Films Feature in Indian Panorama

Contemporary Malayalam filmmaking will be represented by Sarvam Maya, directed by Akhil Sathyan and starring Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Riya Shibu and Priety Mukundan. Selected for the Indian Panorama feature-film section, the supernatural drama follows Prabhendu, an atheist musician who becomes involved in an unusual relationship with the spirit of a young woman. The story explores themes of faith, love and self-discovery.

The Indian Panorama’s New Horizon section will feature two more Malayalam films: Ottanjaavalmaram (A Lone Jamun Tree), directed by Shruthi Sharanyam, and Ajayante Maranam: Oru Case Study, directed by Sreehari Haridas.

Other Malayalam selections include Switch Off, an 11-minute short film directed by Sandeep Francis, in the non-feature category, and Half, directed by Keralam-based filmmaker Samjad, in the Gala Premieres section.

Together, these selections present a range of storytelling styles and subjects, highlighting the diversity of Malayalam cinema.

Basil Joseph and K. S. Chithra to Lead Special Festival Sessions

Malayalam film personalities will also feature in IFFI’s interactive sessions and retrospectives.

Filmmaker and actor Basil Joseph will participate in an ‘In Conversation’ session titled The Epic Genres – Mythologies, Superheroes & New Worlds. The discussion will explore changing approaches to epic storytelling and the development of new cinematic worlds.

Playback singer K. S. Chithra will lead a retrospective session paying tribute to legendary singers Asha Bhosle and S. Janaki. The session will celebrate their contributions to Indian music and their enduring influence on generations of listeners.

The 57th edition of the International Film Festival of India will be held in Goa from November 20 to 28 under the theme “Stories without Borders”.

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WAVES Film Bazaar Marks 20 Years of Promoting Indian Cinema on the Global Stage

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WAVES Film Bazaar will celebrate its 20th edition from November 20 to 24, 2026, at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon in Goa, alongside the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Over the past two decades, the platform has developed into an important meeting point for Indian and international filmmakers, producers, financiers, distributors and other cinema professionals.

Organised by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the event aims to strengthen industry collaboration, support emerging talent and create opportunities for Indian films to reach international markets.

Co-Production Market and Labs to Support Filmmakers

WAVES Film Bazaar offers several initiatives designed to support film projects at different stages of development and production.

The Co-Production Market connects selected feature films and documentaries with international producers and financiers. The NFDC Screenwriters’ Lab provides mentorship and development opportunities for emerging writers, while the Work-in-Progress Lab offers filmmakers expert feedback as they refine their projects.

Other initiatives include the Viewing Room, Market Screenings and Producers’ Lab, which help filmmakers connect with potential buyers, distributors and industry professionals.

The Knowledge Series will bring together industry leaders to discuss emerging trends, distribution strategies, business models and international collaborations. Country and state pavilions, technology showcases and market stalls will further facilitate partnerships across the global audiovisual industry.

From Film Bazaar to an International Platform

The initiative was launched by NFDC in 2007 to promote South Asian storytelling and create connections between filmmakers and the wider film industry. Since then, it has expanded into an international platform for project development, financing, distribution and collaboration.

Over the years, several acclaimed films have been associated with Film Bazaar’s journey, including Ship of Theseus (2012), The Lunchbox (2013), Liar’s Dice (2013), Court (2014), Titli (2014), Margarita With A Straw (2014), Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015), Thithi (2015), Newton (2017), Manto (2018) and Fire in the Mountains (2021).

More recent titles include In the Belly of the Tiger (2024), Girls Will be Girls (2024), Cactus Pears (2025), Shape of Momo (2026) and Little Thomas (2026), among others.

NFDC has also extended financial support to more than 300 films across 21 regional languages. Several of these productions have gone on to receive national and international recognition.

WAVES Film Bazaar Expands Its Global Reach

Now operating under the broader WAVES Film Bazaar banner, the platform has expanded its focus on connecting South Asian cinema with international markets and audiences.

Its programmes aim to support filmmakers throughout the production process through mentorship, financing opportunities, industry partnerships and distribution networks. The platform also provides avenues for producers, sales agents, festival programmers and distributors to discover projects and explore potential collaborations.

The 20th edition aims to build on Film Bazaar’s two-decade journey by creating new opportunities for Indian cinema in international markets.

Through its industry programmes, networking initiatives and project development platforms, WAVES Film Bazaar seeks to encourage creative partnerships, nurture emerging filmmakers and strengthen India’s participation in the global film ecosystem.

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Spain Named Country of Honour at IFFI 2026, Four Contemporary Films to Be Screened

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Spain will take centre stage as the Country of Honour at the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), with a special selection of four contemporary Spanish films scheduled for screening in Goa. The showcase will feature premieres at the world, Asian and Indian levels, offering Indian audiences an opportunity to explore the diversity of modern Spanish filmmaking.

The festival, scheduled from November 20 to 28, 2026, will present films spanning drama, comedy and action, highlighting different approaches to storytelling and contemporary cinematic themes.

Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas to Have India Premiere

One of the major attractions in the Spanish selection is Bitter Christmas (Amarga Navidad), the 2026 film by two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar.

The film explores the relationship between personal experiences and filmmaking, examining how much of an individual’s life a director can reveal while trying to create an honest story.

Its narrative follows Raúl, a cult filmmaker struggling to find inspiration for his next project. As the story unfolds, he draws on a personal tragedy to develop a new screenplay.

After being showcased at major film festivals in Cannes, Toronto and San Sebastián, the film will have its India premiere at IFFI 2026.

Looking For Michael to Make World Premiere

Directed by Juana Macías, Looking For Michael (Persiguiendo a Michael) is a 2026 comedy-drama about a young woman diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Rather than surrendering to the challenges of her condition, she decides to approach life differently with the support of fellow members in her music therapy group, who are also living with the disease.

Together, they set out to meet actor Michael J. Fox, who has publicly lived with Parkinson’s disease. The film is scheduled to have its world premiere at IFFI 2026.

The Bad Son Explores Family Trauma Across Generations

Spanish actor-director Jaime Lorente will make his directorial debut with The Bad Son (El Mal Hijo), which is set to receive its Asia premiere at the festival.

The film examines intergenerational trauma and complicated family relationships. Its story follows a man whose father abandoned him when he was 11. He later moves in with a grandmother he barely knows, where he begins confronting painful memories and uncovering his family’s troubled past.

As he attempts to understand the emotional wounds passed down through generations, he also faces the challenge of breaking that cycle. The film was previously showcased at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.

Trinidad Brings a Western Adventure to IFFI

The fourth selection, Trinidad, is a 2025 action film directed by Laura Alvea and José Ortuño.

Set in the late 19th century, the film follows a young Spanish woman who escapes to the Wild West after being wrongly accused of a crime. She joins a group of female outlaws and becomes part of an adventure involving danger, action and revenge.

The film is scheduled to make its world premiere at IFFI 2026.

Through its Country of Honour selection, IFFI 2026 will offer a platform for contemporary Spanish filmmakers to reach Indian audiences. The four-film programme brings together established director Pedro Almodóvar and emerging directorial voices, presenting a range of themes and cinematic styles.

The showcase forms part of the festival’s broader effort to encourage international cultural exchange and introduce audiences to filmmaking traditions from across the world.

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