Events in Goa

Lights, Camera, Awareness: Goa Anti-Tobacco Film Festival 2026 Announced


The Entertainment Society of Goa has announced the 8th edition of the Goa Anti-Tobacco Film Festival 2026, set to take place on May 31, 2026. Organised in association with the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Goa Dental College and Hospital, the festival aims to use the power of cinema to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and reduce the incidence of oral cancer and heart diseases in Goa.

With the theme โ€œUnmasking the appeal: Countering Nicotine & Tobacco Addiction,โ€ this yearโ€™s festival invites filmmakers, students, and institutions to create impactful ad films that challenge the perception of tobacco and highlight its risks. The initiative not only focuses on public health awareness but also promotes film art through non-profit screenings.

The festival will be conducted in two sections โ€” the Goa Section and the National Section โ€” ensuring participation from both local and national talent. The Goa Section is open to films produced by Goan individuals, production houses, students studying in Goa, and local institutions. Entries can be in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, or English, and must not exceed two minutes in duration, with mandatory English subtitles.

The National Section, on the other hand, is open to participants from across India, with films required to be in Hindi or English. Similar to the Goa category, entries must be ad films of up to two minutes and include English subtitles.

Interested participants must complete their registration by April 17, 2026, by submitting the official form available on the ESG website. The final deadline for submission of films along with supporting documents is May 13, 2026.

The festival also offers attractive prizes to encourage participation and reward impactful storytelling. In the Goa Section, the first prize carries โ‚น50,000, followed by โ‚น30,000 for second place and โ‚น20,000 for third. In the National Section, the top prize stands at โ‚น1,00,000, with โ‚น50,000 and โ‚น30,000 awarded to second and third place winners respectively.

By combining creativity with a strong social message, the Goa Anti-Tobacco Film Festival continues to serve as an important platform for filmmakers to contribute to public health awareness while showcasing their talent. As entries open, the festival once again calls on storytellers to use their voice and vision to inspire change and promote a tobacco-free future.

Events in Goa

Transcend Goa 2026 Kicks Off as Indiaโ€™s First Dedicated Transmedia Conclave


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Transcend Goa 2026, Indiaโ€™s first-ever dedicated Transmedia Conclave, was inaugurated on January 15 at Maquinez Palace, Panjim, marking a significant step in Goaโ€™s journey towards becoming a hub for creative innovation and media excellence. The opening ceremony and Day 1 proceedings witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, policymakers, and industry leaders, underscoring the importance of the conclave in shaping future-ready entertainment ecosystems.

The event was inaugurated in the presence of the Honโ€™ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant, along with Dr V. Candavelou, Chief Secretary, Government of Goa; Smt Delilah Lobo, MLA โ€“ Siolim Constituency and Vice-Chairman, Entertainment Society of Goa; Shri Asvin Chandru, CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa; Shri C. Sajan Raj Kurup, Chairman, Creativeland Group; and Shri Harish Rao, Founder, Bulletproof Entertainment and Co-founder, Goa Future Proof, among other dignitaries and registered participants.

Day 1 of Transcend Goa 2026 set the tone for meaningful dialogue and collaboration through keynote addresses and engaging panel discussions focused on emerging trends in transmedia storytelling, film, digital content creation, and evolving entertainment business models. The conclave provided a dynamic platform for creators, filmmakers, industry professionals, and policymakers to exchange ideas, explore synergies, and discuss opportunities for innovation and investment.

Organised by the Entertainment Society of Goa in partnership with Goa Future Proof and supported by the Government of Goa, Transcend Goa 2026 reflects the stateโ€™s vision to strengthen its global footprint in the media and entertainment sector. By fostering collaboration across creative disciplines and highlighting Goaโ€™s cultural vibrancy and infrastructure, the conclave aims to position Goa as a future-forward destination for storytelling, creativity, and media-driven growth.

Events in Goa

IFFI 2025: Aakash Kandil, Float Parade & Romtamel Competition Results Announced


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

As part of the 56th International Film Festival of India 2025(IFFI), Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) in collaboration with the Government of Goa organised Aakash Kandil (lantern-making) competition on 20/11/2025 at ESG promenade.

The competition was open to all the residents of Goa with the maximum cap of 50 entries per Taluka, accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

ESG received total 300 plus entries for the same from different talukas. Each participant received โ‚น500 as a token of appreciation for their effort and creativity. Participants could use any material except thermacol. All the Akash Kandils were kept for dsplay at ESG promenade.

Three winners were chosen from each taluka. The prize money for the competition was Rs. 5000 as first prize, Rs. 3000 as second prize and Rs. 2000 as third prize in each taluka.

The details of the winners are as follows;

Sr. NoName of the TalukaName of the winners
1SalceteFirst โ€“Akshay S. Satarkar   Second- Anikul A. Chitari   Third โ€“Ms. Saisha Malvankar
2CanaconaFirst โ€“ValankaniVieges   Second-Payak J. Padkar   Third -Kajal Kale
3SattariFirst โ€“Vaibhav Vinod Mathkar   Second-Arjun P. Majik   Third โ€“Supriya Chawan
4PondaFirst โ€“Kishor Chafadhkar   Second-Chandan Velkaskar   Third โ€“Amey Naik
5TiswadiFirst โ€“Jai Ravindra Phadte   Second-Atul Kamat   Third โ€“Sai Fadte
6BardezFirst โ€“Nehali Narvekar   Second-Sahin Hadfadkar   Third โ€“Upesh Mayekar
7SanguemFirst โ€“Shruti Surendra Naik   Second-Atharv Naik   Third โ€“Ajoy Gaonkar
8MarmugaoFirst โ€“ Keshav Ansurkar   Second-Mithil Naik   Third โ€“Deepesh Naik
9BicholimFirst โ€“Anup Nair   Second-Pratima M. Ghadi   Third โ€“Rutvik Ugadekar
10PernemFirst -Dhiraj Shetgaonkar   Second-Sameer Narayan Parab   Third – Sainath Pednekar
11DharbandoraFirst โ€“Sharmesh Chari   Second-Unmesh Lavu Naik   Third- Prajyot R. Dessai
12QuepemFirst โ€“Gaurav Raju Hornekar   Second-Vidhya Naik   Third โ€“ Navida Naik

The Float Parade Competition was held on 20th November 2025, in Two Segments. i.e. Segment 1- Goan Float Parade and Segment 2 – Promotional Float Parade.

Segment 1- Goan Float Parade Result
ResultWinner Name
1st PrizeShree Dev Bodgeshwar Yuva Sangh, Mapusa, Goa
2nd PrizeShree Krishna Haushi Mandal, Margao, Goa
3rd PrizeRaul Pereira, Quepem, Goa
4th PrizeTriveni Kala Sangh, Durgabhat, Ponda Goa
5th PrizeJoel Barbosa, Fatorda, Goa
Consolation PrizeValencio D’souza, St. Estevam, Goa
Consolation PrizeAlexinho Da Silva, Curtorim, Goa
Consolation PrizeIrist Dโ€™Silva, Quepem, Goa
Consolation PrizeMahalaxmi Nagrik Samiti, Bandora, Ponda Goa
Consolation PrizeShree Dev Dhadeshwar Sports and Cultural Club, Nerul, Bardez, Goa

Float Parade Competition (Applicable only for segment 1 – Goan floats)

1st Prize – Rs.350000/-

2nd Prize – Rs. 300000/-

3rd Prize – Rs. 250000/-

4th Prize – Rs. 200000/-

5th Prize – Rs. 150000/-

5 Consolation Prizes โ€“ Rs. 100000/- each

A remuneration of Rs. 30000/- each will be paid to float Parade participants who do not receive any prizes.

Segment 2 – Promotional Float Parade Result
ResultWinner Name
1st PrizeAndhra Pradesh
2nd PrizeHombale Movie Makers
3rd PrizeWaves OTT
4th PrizeZEE Studios
5th PrizeHaryana

Float Parade Competition (Aplicable for segment 2 – Promotional floats)

1st Prize – Rs.2,50,000/-

2nd Prize – Rs. 2,00,000/-

3rd Prize – Rs. 1,50,000/-

4th Prize – Rs. 1,25,000/-

5th Prize – Rs. 1,00,000/-

       A remuneration of Rs. 30000/- each will be paid to float Parade participants who do not receive any prizes as an incentive towards their participation and creative contribution.

The Romtamel Competition was held on 21st, 23rd, 25th & 26th November 2025.

Romtamel Competition Result
ResultWinner Name
1st PrizeSuyog Shigmotsav Mandal, Adpai, Agapur, Ponda, Goa
2nd PrizeShree Shantadurga Babreshwar Yuvak Sangh, Calangute, Goa
3rd PrizeShree Paikdev Shigmotsav Samiti, Sanguem, Goa
4th PrizeShree Mandaleshwar Managuru Shigmotsav Mandal, Shiroda, Ponda, Goa
5th PrizeShree Shantadurga Bodgeshwar Shigmotsav Samiti, Bardez, Goa
Consolation PrizeSwar Sai Shigmotsav Mandal, Mapusa, Goa
Consolation PrizeAvedekar Samaj Borim, Avedem, Borim, Goa
Consolation PrizeChandreshwar Bhootnath Shigmotsav Mandal, Quepem, Goa
Consolation PrizeDongri Shigmotsav Samiti, Dongri, Goa

Romtamel Performance Competition

1st Prize – Rs.300000/-

2nd Prize – Rs. 250000/-

3rd Prize – Rs. 200000/-

4th Prize – Rs. 175000/-

5th Prize – Rs. 150000/-

5 Consolation Prizes โ€“ Rs. 100000/- each.

         A remuneration of Rs. 20000/- each will be paid to the Romtamel groups participants who do not receive any prizes.

The prize distribution was held on 28/11/2024 at ESG premises at the hands of Smt. Delilah Lobo, Vice Chairman, ESG / M.L.A. Siolim Constituency.

Events in Goa

NFDC & ESG Partner With PictureTime to Bring Inflatable Theatres to IFFI 2025; SRK Classics and Blockbusters Set for Special Screenings


The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) is set to introduce an exciting new cinematic experience. In a landmark collaboration, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) have joined hands with mobile digital theatre innovator PictureTime Digiplex to install fully equipped inflatable theatres at the prestigious Kala Academy in Goa.

Known for revolutionising film access in underserved regions, PictureTime Digiplex brings its cutting-edge inflatable cinema technology to one of the worldโ€™s most respected film festivals. The 2025 edition of IFFI, scheduled from 20th to 28th November, will witness these portable theatres showcasing an exciting lineup across Inspirational Films, Indian Panorama Classics, Nostalgia, and Childrenโ€™s Cinema.

For the first time ever, three iconic Shah Rukh Khan favourites โ€” Chak De! India, Darr, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge โ€” will be screened inside these unique inflatable theatres. Audiences can also look forward to acclaimed films such as Vidhu Vinod Chopraโ€™s 12th Fail, the Malayalam blockbuster Manjummel Boys, Rajkummar Raoโ€™s Srikanth, Rani Mukerjiโ€™s Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Sooraj Barjatyaโ€™s Uunchai, Mira Nairโ€™s Salaam Bombay!, Irrfan Khanโ€™s Qissa, and acclaimed classics including Satyajit Rayโ€™s Shatranj Ke Khilari, Vijay Anandโ€™s Teesri Manzil, and Yash Chopraโ€™s Chandni and Kala Patthar.

Children will also enjoy special daily screenings of films such as Gattu, Kaphal: Wild Berries, Banarasi Jasoos, The Prince and the Crown of Stone, and Naal 2.

Beyond the main venue, PictureTime will set up open-air screenings across North and South Goa, allowing thousands of local residents to experience festival films outside traditional theatres.

Sushil Chaudhary, Founder & CEO of PictureTime Digiplex, expressed immense pride in the collaboration, recalling PictureTime’s association with IFFI since their Bioscope Village initiative in 2017.
He shared:

“Bringing our mobile digital theatres to a festival of this scale shows how far this technology has comeโ€”from remote villages to one of the worldโ€™s most respected film events. Our mission has always been to democratise cinema and take high-quality experiences to every corner of the country.”

He added that the 2025 lineup, combining SRK classics, acclaimed contemporary films, and dedicated childrenโ€™s programming, reflects the diversity and cultural richness of Indian cinema.
“With the Kala Academy inflatable theatre and open-air screenings across Goa, we hope to create a festival experience that is immersive, inclusive, and truly celebratory of Indian storytelling.”

The Kala Academy inflatable theatre alone is expected to welcome 1,000+ visitors daily, while each open-air location may draw an additional 300โ€“400 viewers every day โ€” making IFFI 2025 one of the most accessible and community-engaging editions to date.

Events in Goa

Indiaโ€™s First Multi-Inclusive Hindi Film โ€œRabb Di Awaazโ€ to Screen at Purple Fest Goa 2025


The International Purple Fest Goa 2025 will open with a powerful screening of โ€œRabb Di Awaaz,โ€ Indiaโ€™s first multi-inclusive and multi-accessible Hindi feature film. The screening, scheduled for October 9 at INOX Panjim (Screen 1), is a fitting start to a festival that champions inclusivity and accessibility in every form.

Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Ojaswwee Sharma, the film explores the lives, challenges, and aspirations of persons with disabilities. What sets this film apart is its authentic casting โ€” featuring actors with disabilities in key roles โ€” including lead actor Shiv Kumar Sharma, who is visually impaired. His nuanced performance lends emotional depth and truth to the filmโ€™s narrative, making it not only a cinematic experience but a social statement.

โ€œRabb Di Awaazโ€ has already created a global ripple. It has completed over 275 complimentary screenings across India and internationally, spanning over 650 days. The film has reached audiences in schools, colleges, universities, and special education institutions across 13 Indian states and territories, including Goa, Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and more. Internationally, it has been featured in festivals across California, Leicester, and London. It was most recently recognized by the United Nations India and UNESCO at the We Care Film Festival 2025 for its commitment to accessibility and inclusion in cinema.

Ahead of the main screening at IPFG-2025, the film was already introduced to audiences in Goa through a series of pre-event screenings under the Purple Spectrum initiative, led by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa. The film was showcased at educational institutions like Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High School, St. Britto High School, Goa University, and the National Association for the Blind, among others. This made Goa the first Indian state administration to invite and facilitate screenings of โ€œRabb Di Awaazโ€ across multiple educational setups.

Director Ojaswwee Sharma expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Goa for this opportunity, stating that it represents a meaningful step toward national recognition for inclusive cinema. He emphasized that this film is not merely an artistic project but part of a larger cultural movement that uses cinema as a catalyst for empathy, dialogue, and social change.

As part of the festivalโ€™s rich and inclusive programming, the screening of โ€œRabb Di Awaazโ€ reaffirms that inclusive cinema is not a niche category but an essential pillar of India’s evolving cultural narrative. With policymakers, educators, and changemakers in attendance, the festival provides an important platform to amplify the voices and stories that matter.