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 world’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 Children’s Cinema.
For the first time ever, three iconic Shah Rukh Khan favourites — Chak De! India, Darr, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge — will be screened inside these unique inflatable theatres. Audiences can also look forward to acclaimed films such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail, the Malayalam blockbuster Manjummel Boys, Rajkummar Rao’s Srikanth, Rani Mukerji’s Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Sooraj Barjatya’s Uunchai, Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay!, Irrfan Khan’s Qissa, and acclaimed classics including Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khilari, Vijay Anand’s Teesri Manzil, and Yash Chopra’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 come—from remote villages to one of the world’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 children’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 300–400 viewers every day — making IFFI 2025 one of the most accessible and community-engaging editions to date.
