Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Loganathan Murugan inaugurated the Masterclass Series at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) at the Kala Academy on Friday.
The Masterclass Series, one of the festival’s most anticipated knowledge platforms, brings together acclaimed filmmakers and industry professionals from across the world for discussions, workshops, retrospectives and interactive sessions designed to explore the changing landscape of global cinema.
This year’s series opened with a session by filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, setting the tone for a week of intensive creative and technical engagement. Leading figures from Indian cinema — including Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Anupam Kher, Shekhar Kapur, Rajkumar Hirani, Vishal Bhardwaj, Aamir Khan, Shad Ali and Suhasini Maniratnam — will conduct sessions throughout the festival. Their programmes will explore emerging themes such as the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, sustainability and environmentally conscious production, and the rise of women-led storytelling in global cinema. Technical workshops on cinematography, VFX, SFX and theatre acting will also form a significant part of the schedule.
For the first time, the inauguration of the Masterclass Series was opened to the general public, marking a shift towards broader participation and greater accessibility for cinema enthusiasts. In his address, Murugan said more than 200 films will be screened this year, reflecting India’s expanding presence in global filmmaking. He added that IFFI 2025 aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat, emphasising India’s growing role in the creative economy.
The Minister also underlined the strong representation of women filmmakers at this year’s festival, noting that 50 films directed by women will be showcased. He described this as a milestone for gender representation and a testament to the government’s commitment to promoting Nari Shakti in the arts and creative sectors.
The Masterclass Series is expected to draw participants from Australia, Japan, Germany, Canada and several other countries, reinforcing IFFI’s position as a hub for international collaboration, professional exchange and cinematic innovation.
India’s premier film festival opened on Thursday with a colourful parade on Panaji’s DB Road. Running from November 20–28, the 56th International Film Festival of India showcases global cinema, industry discussions and creative collaborations under the theme “Convergence of Creativity and Technology.”