Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral
As a prelude to the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025, Shri Dhirendra Ojha, Principal Director General, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, and Ms. Smita Vats Sharma, Director General, PIB West Zone, interacted with editors and bureau chiefs of leading media organisations in Goa at Panaji on November 11th.
The interactive session aimed to discuss media facilitation plans and preparations for the upcoming 56th edition of IFFI, scheduled to take place from November 20th to 28th, 2025. Addressing the gathering, Shri Dhirendra Ojha highlighted PIB’s pivotal role in supporting the media during the festival through coordinated press conferences, extensive coverage support, and comprehensive media services. He emphasized that PIB would continue to offer well-equipped spaces for interviews, live streaming of major events, and real-time updates through multiple communication channels including LED displays, WhatsApp notifications, press releases, and social media platforms.
Shri Ojha called upon the media to actively collaborate in ensuring IFFI 2025’s success, describing their role as central to elevating the festival’s global profile. He stated that PIB’s efforts aim to showcase India’s media participation and creative strength as an example of the nation’s soft power, while stressing that the media’s engagement would take the process further and help the festival reach new heights.
Highlighting PIB’s recent initiatives, Shri Ojha mentioned the inclusion of digital content creators in the accreditation process, introduced for the first time last year, acknowledging their increasing influence in the media landscape. He also announced that a Certificate Course in Film Appreciation, conducted in association with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), will be organised again this year for selected media professionals to deepen their understanding of cinema. Reaffirming PIB’s commitment to inclusivity, he added that press releases would continue to be made available in Konkani to keep local audiences informed and engaged.
Ms. Smita Vats Sharma spoke about the crucial role of media in enhancing IFFI’s global visibility and detailed the systems PIB is implementing to ensure seamless media engagement. She assured the attendees that provisions such as real-time updates, multimedia releases, and dedicated media spaces would be available to facilitate efficient communication and smooth festival operations.
The session concluded with a Q&A segment, during which media representatives shared feedback and suggestions regarding registration, facilities, and overall festival coverage. The event opened with a welcome address by Shri Nana Meshram, Director, PIB Goa, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Sayyid Rabeehashmi, Director, PIB Mumbai, who expressed appreciation for the active participation of Goa’s media fraternity.
The interaction marked an important step in the collaborative preparations for IFFI 2025, setting the stage for another vibrant edition of India’s premier film festival.
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