56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28, will shine a spotlight on promising new voices in world cinema through its Best Debut Feature Film of a Director competition, featuring seven first-time filmmakers — five international and two Indian.
This year’s edition will feature more than 240 films from 81 countries, including 13 world premieres, 4 international premieres, and 46 Asian premieres. The festival has received a record 2,314 submissions from 127 countries, reaffirming IFFI’s growing stature on the global film festival circuit.
The Best Debut Feature competition seeks to identify and honour exceptional new storytellers whose first films mark the beginning of distinctive cinematic journeys. The award carries the prestigious Silver Peacock, a cash prize of ₹10 lakh, and a commendation.
The jury for the competition will be chaired by Indian filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, alongside Australian editor-director Graeme Clifford, German actor Katharina Schüttler, Sri Lankan filmmaker Chandran Rutnam, and English cinematographer Remi Adefarasin.
Global stories, local voices
The selection represents a wide geographical and thematic canvas — from the emotional landscapes of adolescence to narratives of resilience and social struggle.
Estonian filmmaker Tõnis Pill’s “Fränk” follows a young boy navigating loneliness and violence, finding unexpected friendship after trauma. Spanish director Gemma Blasco’s “Fury” (La Furia) offers a feminist reinterpretation of Medea through the story of a survivor reclaiming agency.
From Germany, Christina Tournatzés’ “Karla” revisits a 1962 case in which a 12-year-old girl takes her father to court, told with stark realism and emotional precision. Iranian filmmaker Hesam Farahmand’s “Raha” (My Daughter’s Hair) examines class divides through a father’s attempt to buy happiness for his child, only to confront moral ambiguity and injustice.
Mexican director Ernesto Martínez Bucio’s “The Devil Smokes (and Saves the Burnt Matches in the Same Box)” — a surreal exploration of childhood fear and fantasy — adds to the festival’s line-up of visually daring debuts.
India’s entries: stories of strength and self-discovery
Representing India are two powerful debuts that celebrate human spirit and introspection.
Tribeni Rai’s “Shape of Momo”, set in Sikkim and filmed in Nepali, follows a young woman’s quiet rebellion against patriarchal inertia within her household. The film, which travelled through Cannes, Busan, and San Sebastián festivals, has been praised for its lyrical storytelling and evocative imagery.
Shivraj Waichal’s Marathi drama “Ata Thambaycha Naay!” (Now, There’s No Stopping!) is inspired by the real-life story of Mumbai sanitation workers who decide to resume their education. With humour and empathy, it celebrates dignity in labour and the lifelong pursuit of learning.
IFFI remains the only film festival in South Asia accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF) in the Competitive Feature Films Category.
Since its inception in 1952, IFFI has served as a premier platform for filmmakers, cinephiles, and industry professionals to experience outstanding cinema from around the world. Held annually in Goa since 2004, IFFI is jointly organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), Government of Goa.