Panaji: The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) will be held from 20th to 28th November 2025, with a special spotlight on Goa through the Goa Section curated by the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG).
As part of this yearly tradition, ESG invited entries from Goan filmmakers under the Feature and Non-Feature categories. A total of 17 films were submitted, out of which 5 films have been selected by an expert jury comprising Jury Chairman Shri P. Sheshadri, and members Priya Krishnaswamy and Shri Rajeev Bhatia. ESG extended its gratitude to the jury for their dedicated work and congratulated all the selected directors, producers, cast and crew.
Selected Films – Goa Section
Goan Director’s Cut
1. Zero Bulb — Directed by Soham Prasad Bhende (Non-Feature, Premiere)
2. Halad — Directed by Sobita Kudtarkar (Non-Feature, Premiere)
3. My Dad Invented the Vadapav – Ashok Vaidya and Sons — Directed by Sainath Uskaikar (Non-Feature, Non-Premiere)
Goan Producer’s Cut
1. Meraki, By The Sea — Produced by Dr. Gwendolynn De Ornelas (Non-Feature, Premiere)
2. Ghar — Produced by Sahit Studios LLP (Non-Feature, Premiere)
⸻
IFFI 2025 Highlights & Public Activities
Open-Air Screenings:
Films will be screened at Miramar Beach, Ravindra Bhavan Fatorda, and Vagator Beach (Helipad) parking area.
IFFI Mile:
A stretch from ESG to Kala Academy will host stalls and engaging activities for visitors.
IFFI Parade – 20th November 2025
Replacing the traditional opening ceremony, the grand IFFI Float Parade will begin at 3:30 PM from the Old GMC Building and proceed to Kala Academy.
The theme for this year is “Celebrating Indian Cinema, India on Global Platform & the Future of Cinema.”
The parade will feature two segments:
⸻
Segment 1 – Goan Cultural Floats
A total of 12 Goan groups will compete.
Prizes:
- 1st – ₹3,50,000
- 2nd – ₹3,00,000
- 3rd – ₹2,50,000
- 4th – ₹2,00,000
- 5th – ₹1,50,000
- 5 Consolation prizes – ₹1,00,000 each
- All other participants: ₹30,000 remuneration
⸻
Segment 2 – Promotional Floats
Featuring production houses, media groups and creative industry participants.
Prizes:
- 1st – ₹2,50,000
- 2nd – ₹2,00,000
- 3rd – ₹1,50,000
- 4th – ₹1,25,000
- 5th – ₹1,00,000
- Non-winning participants: ₹30,000 each
⸻
Romtamel Competition (21st–25th November 2025)
Ten leading Romtamel groups from Goa will perform during IFFI’s cultural festivities.
Prizes:
- 1st – ₹3,00,000
- 2nd – ₹2,50,000
- 3rd – ₹2,00,000
- 4th – ₹1,75,000
- 5th – ₹1,50,000
- 5 Consolation prizes – ₹1,00,000 each
⸻
With curated Goan films, cultural showcases and the grand parade, IFFI 2025 is set to celebrate Indian cinema while highlighting Goa’s vibrant artistic identity.
