India’s premier film event — and South Asia’s oldest and largest film festival — opened on Thursday with a spectacular parade that transformed Panaji’s DB Road into a vibrant cultural corridor. Founded in 1952 and jointly organised by the National Film Development Corporation and the Entertainment Society of Goa, the the 56th international film festival of India embraced a carnival-style opening for the first time. Floats celebrating Indian cinema, participating states and cultural institutions rolled from the Old Goa Medical College to the Kala Academy, attracting thousands of locals, tourists and visiting delegates.
Running from November 20–28, the 56th edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) spotlights global filmmaking excellence, industry forums and creative collaboration under this year’s central theme — “Convergence of Creativity and Technology.”
More than two dozen floats — including 12 from the Goa government — showcased India’s cinematic legacy, animation and diverse regional cultures. The grand folk performance Bharat Ek Soor brought together over 100 traditional artists, while animated icons Chhota Bheem, Motu Patlu and Bittu Bahanebaaz delighted younger audiences. Blending Goa’s carnival spirit with cinematic flair, the parade set an energetic tone for the nine-day celebration of art, innovation and emerging storytelling.
Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju inaugurated the festival, calling IFFI a major global platform for creative exchange, talent development and India’s creative economy. “With Goa’s cosmopolitan character and cultural richness, it is natural that film lovers gather here,” he noted.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant highlighted the state’s rise as a world-class filmmaking hub, driven by modern infrastructure and progressive film policies. “IFFI connects Indian talent with global possibilities. Our dream is to make Goa the Creative Capital of India,” he said, thanking PM Narendra Modi for championing cinema as a force of India’s soft power.
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan said the street carnival format reflects how IFFI continues to evolve with the industry. He highlighted India’s rapidly expanding Orange Economy — powered by content, creativity and culture — and paid tribute to the late Manohar Parrikar for establishing Goa as IFFI’s permanent venue.
I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju noted that this is IFFI’s biggest edition yet, featuring films from nearly 80 countries, multiple global premieres and new initiatives such as the AI Film Hackathon and the expanded WAVES Film Bazaar, designed to advance innovation and industry partnerships.
The festival paid homage to legendary Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna, celebrating his 50-year journey in Indian cinema. The opening film, Brazilian director Gabriel Mascaro’s dystopian drama The Blue Trail (O Último Azul), captivated audiences with its striking vision — marking a strong start to IFFI’s global showcase.