The second day of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa celebrated cinematic excellence with masterclasses, global talent exchange, diplomatic dialogue and a vibrant red-carpet showcase. The day reflected India’s growing stature as a creative hub and a favoured destination for international collaborations.
Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. L. Murugan inaugurated the IFFI 2025 Masterclass Series at Kala Academy, Goa, in the presence of senior officials and renowned film personalities. For the first time, the launch was opened to the general public, underscoring the festival’s focus on accessibility. Participants from countries including Australia, Japan, Germany and Canada joined the programme.
Celebrations continued with the launch of the fifth edition of Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT), which brought together 125 young filmmakers for a 48-hour filmmaking challenge. Addressing the participants, Dr. Murugan encouraged them to embrace the intensive format as an opportunity to sharpen their craft. He also highlighted government initiatives designed to bolster India’s creative economy, including the new Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in Mumbai.
The red-carpet segment drew large crowds as celebrated cinema figures attended gala film premieres. Among those present were Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Anupam Kher, Jackie Shroff, Manoj Bajpayee, the crew of The Family Man, and filmmaker Muzaffar Ali. The segment continued to serve as a bridge between the audience and the creators, while showcasing world, Asia and India premieres.
Strengthening India’s position as a global co-production hub, IFFI hosted an Ambassadors’ Roundtable with diplomats from partner nations. Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Sanjay Jaju stressed the country’s growing appeal for international film projects, supported by new policies, technology partnerships and streamlined facilitation. Dr. Murugan noted that audio-visual co-production has become a major pillar of cultural and economic cooperation, with India’s media and entertainment sector projected to reach USD 31.6 billion in 2025.
A thought-provoking conversation titled Cinema and Culture: Reflections from Two Eras brought filmmakers Muzaffar Ali and Shaad Ali together for a dialogue on memory, creativity and the evolution of cinematic practice. The session, moderated by Shaad Ali and preceded by a felicitation by filmmaker Ravi Kottarakara, added a reflective dimension to the day’s events.
Since its inception in 1952, IFFI has grown into South Asia’s largest film festival. Jointly organised by the National Film Development Corporation and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in partnership with the Entertainment Society of Goa, the festival has become a global platform where restored classics meet modern creativity. With screenings, competitions, cultural showcases, masterclasses and the dynamic Film Bazaar, the 56th edition is offering a rich celebration of world cinema against the scenic backdrop of Goa from November 20 to 28.