The opening parade of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa delivered a stunning visual spectacle, featuring a vibrant mix of cultural troupes and creative entries from production houses across the country. Among these, the NFDC (National Film Development Corporation) tableau stood out as one of the most eye-catching and thoughtfully crafted highlights of the event.
This year’s NFDC tableau captured widespread admiration for its elegant design and engaging moving components. The centrepiece—a massive projector equipped with dynamic projection lights—brought an immersive visual energy to the parade. Through this striking installation, NFDC creatively portrayed the evolution and milestones of Indian cinema.
Widely regarded as an organisation that reshaped Indian filmmaking and pioneered the new wave cinema movement, NFDC used the tableau to beautifully narrate its cinematic journey. The display also integrated its aligned verticals—NMIC (National Museum of Indian Cinema) and NFAI (National Film Archive of India)—through seamless and artistic visual representation.
The content curation was led by Satyajit Mandle, DGM, NMIC, while the art direction and production design were executed by Mahendra Potadar, under the guidance of NFDC’s Managing Director Prakash Magdum.
Commanding attention for its creativity, sophistication, and storytelling depth, the NFDC tableau emerged as one of the most memorable and classy installations at the IFFI 56 parade, earning praise from visitors, filmmakers, and festival participants alike.
Panaji witnessed a historic and spectacular opening to the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) as the festival kicked off with its first-ever grand parade on 20 November. In a departure from tradition, IFFI embraced an open, carnival-style inauguration that brought cinema directly to the people.
The parade completely transformed DB Road into a dazzling cultural stretch, as floats from film production houses, state pavilions, animation studios, and performing troupes moved from the Old Goa Medical College building to the Kala Academy. Over two dozen floats participated, including 12 presented by the Goa government, each portraying vibrant themes inspired by India’s cinematic heritage, regional arts, and animation.
One of the most striking segments of the parade was the large-scale folk production “Bharat Ek Soor”, staged by the Central Bureau of Communication under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Featuring more than 100 artists, the performance showcased traditional dance forms from across the country, creating an energetic and culturally rich spectacle.
The appearance of beloved animated characters—including Chhota Bheem, Motu Patlu, and Bittu Bahanebaaz—added a playful and heartwarming element to the parade, drawing cheers from children and adults alike.
The atmosphere throughout Panaji was festive and immersive, reflecting Goa’s iconic carnival spirit. Thousands of locals, tourists, students, and delegates lined the streets to witness the vibrant floats, live music, dance performances, and cultural showcases. What had traditionally been a closed-door opening ceremony became a public celebration, allowing the community to be at the heart of the festival’s excitement.
The grand parade not only set a joyful and inclusive tone for the nine-day film festival but also marked a significant step towards making IFFI more accessible and engaging for all.
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.
The 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will open with a new approach this year. Instead of the customary inaugural ceremony at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, the festival will begin with a vibrant IFFI Parade that will celebrate Goa’s culture and cinematic spirit. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant will flag off the parade, which will feature colourful floats inspired by Goa’s carnival and Shigmo traditions.
Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) Chairperson Delilah Lobo confirmed that the change was necessary as the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium is booked for the FIDE World Cup during the same period. However, the festival’s official dates remain unchanged, ensuring that IFFI’s schedule continues as planned.
The IFFI Parade will serve as the festival’s new inaugural event, offering a public celebration that merges film, art, and Goan culture. Designed as a street-level spectacle, it will invite participation from locals and visitors alike, capturing the festive atmosphere that defines Goa.
Organised by the ESG in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, IFFI remains India’s most prominent international film festival, bringing together filmmakers, actors, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world. The decision to replace the stadium opening with a parade reflects an inclusive vision — one that extends the festival’s reach beyond formal venues and into the community.
As Goa prepares to welcome delegates and film lovers for IFFI 56, the parade promises to set a celebratory tone for the festival, transforming its opening into a showcase of both local culture and global cinema.
Every frame holds a feeling, and every story preserves a moment in time. Cinema is not just entertainment—it is emotion, imagination, and memory woven together through light, sound, and storytelling. This year, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) invites you to reflect on your connection with the art of cinema.
What does cinema mean to you? Is it the thrill of the first frame, the silence after the credits roll, or the way stories stay with us long after we’ve left the theatre? Whether you are a filmmaker, cinephile, or simply someone who loves the power of a good story, this is your chance to share your voice.
Send in your short video by 31st October 2025 and be part of IFFI 56, where storytellers, dreamers, and creators from around the world gather to celebrate the essence of film. Your submission could be featured on one of the most prestigious stages in global cinema.
Join the movement. Capture your emotion. Tell your story. Because in the end, cinema belongs to everyone who dares to feel.
