Renowned Kavi Artist Sagar Naik Mule received a surprising and exciting call from “The Peacock” team of the Entertainment Society of Goa to contribute to the International Film Festival of India 2025. Entrusted with the creation of the farewell page, Sagar embraced the opportunity to reflect the festival’s spirit through a unique artistic lens.
The farewell work celebrates the cycle of nature, symbolizing how every year brings new ideas and inspirations to IFFI Goa. Using the technique of PoP, Sagar captured impressions of leaves through a self-portrait on a peacock, symbolically expressing gratitude to everyone who made IFFI 2025 a grand success.
The message of thanks, “Dev Bore Koru” in Konkani, resonates throughout the artwork, combining elegance, creativity, and heartfelt acknowledgment.
With trust and encouragement from Vivek Menezes, Sagar’s farewell page became a memorable tribute to the festival’s vibrancy, creativity, and community spirit, leaving a lasting impression on attendees and contributors alike.
Goa, November 2025 — An evocative and deeply human experimental documentary Meraki, by the Sea has been officially selected under the Goan Section at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa 2025. The 37-minute English-Konkani docu-montage, directed by acclaimed Goan filmmaker Himanshu Singh and produced by Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas, chronicles the inspiring journey of Festacar Marius Fernandes, fondly known as “The Festival Man of Goa.”
Filmed across Goa’s vibrant villages and coastlines, Meraki, by the Sea captures the essence of Goa’s art, music, and community spirit that defines its cultural identity. The film explores Festacar’s beliefs, philosophy, and the passion that fuels his mission to revive Goan heritage through his unique, people-driven public festivals.
Over the past 25 years, Marius has created and nurtured over 100 community festivals across Goa and three in the UK, each built on inclusion, sustainability, and the power of togetherness. Shot by cinematographer Nehal Chari and sound designed by Pankaj Katware, the film is a visual and emotional tribute to the idea of doing something with meraki — the Greek word for doing things with soul, creativity, and love.
The film is dedicated to the late Senhor Zito de Ornelas Gomes, founder of Goa’s first musical band, “Tuna Los Coimbranos,” established on August 15, 1962. Through this dedication, the film honors his pioneering contribution to Goan music and cultural expression.
Director Himanshu Singh, a Goa State Award-winning filmmaker known for his humanistic and visually immersive storytelling, described the film as a reflection on the spirit of giving and collective joy. “Through Festacar’s journey, I wanted to explore how one man transforms festivals into living acts of connection and creativity. His story reminded me that culture thrives not in museums, but in people — in laughter, food, and shared moments,” he said.
Producer Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas, a Goan academic and cultural advocate, views the film as both a personal and creative tribute to her late father and to Festacar’s mission. “It’s a joy to see Meraki, by the Sea as part of IFFI 2025. The work of Festacar has always inspired me to be culturally rooted. During IFFI 2024, Himanshu and I discussed documenting his story — and here we are, a year later, celebrating its selection,” she shared.
Marius Fernandes’ lifelong commitment to fostering inclusivity and sustainability through festivals has made him an icon of community-led cultural revival. His initiatives have empowered locals, preserved traditions, and given Goans across generations a reason to celebrate their shared identity.
As Meraki, by the Sea premieres at IFFI 2025, it not only stands as a cinematic ode to Goa’s enduring cultural rhythm but also as a reminder of what it means to live and create with soul — with meraki.
Cinema from Northeast India is set to make a strong impression at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa, with a remarkable lineup of films from Assam, Manipur, and Sikkim featured in the Indian Panorama section. The festival, scheduled from November 20 to 28, 2025, continues to serve as a vibrant showcase of Indian creativity, cultural diversity, and cinematic excellence.
The Indian Panorama, a flagship component of IFFI since 1978, is devoted to promoting Indian films that represent the best of the country’s creative spirit and cultural heritage. This year’s selection highlights the Northeast’s cinematic growth and the region’s distinctive storytelling tradition that blends realism, identity, and emotion.
In the Feature Film category, Assam and Manipur have made a powerful mark. Bhaimon Da (Assamese), directed by Sasanka Samir and produced by Zeal Creations, tells the inspiring story of celebrated Assamese filmmaker Munin Barua, exploring his life and the challenges faced by Assamese cinema across decades. The film is both a tribute and a chronicle of artistic perseverance.
From Manipur, Naorem Dinesh Singh’sOitharei continues the state’s legacy of socially conscious cinema. The film tells the story of a widow displaced by the ethnic unrest in Manipur since 2023, offering a poignant portrayal of grief, survival, and the quest for peace. Produced under Oitharei, it reflects the emotional depth that has long defined Manipuri filmmaking, echoing the work of masters like Aribam Syam Sharma.
Adding to Assam’s prominence is Sikaar, directed by Debangkar Borgohain and produced by Mitra Bhattacharya, which has been selected for the Mainstream Cinema section. Starring Zubeen Garg, Urmila Mahanta, and Adil Hussain, the film is being hailed for its high production values, compelling narrative, and status as the most expensive Assamese film ever made. Sikaar symbolizes a new era of ambition for Assamese cinema, blending regional storytelling with national appeal.
The region’s strength also extends to the Non-Feature Film category. Assam’s Patralekha, directed by Namrata Datta, explores themes of identity and communication through a poetic lens. From Manipur, Battlefield by Borun Thokchom captures the stark realities of life in a conflict-torn state with documentary precision and emotional power.
From Sikkim, Samten Bhutia’sShangrila, produced by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), provides a rare window into Sikkimese culture and creativity. The Sikkimese-language documentary expands the cinematic map of the Northeast, celebrating the region’s evolving artistic identity and contribution to Indian cinema.
On November 27, IFFI will host a special discussion titled “New North East Cinema and Film Schools.” The session will examine the emergence of a new generation of filmmakers from Indian film schools, particularly from the Northeast, and how these institutions nurture unique voices that bring fresh perspectives to national cinema. The dialogue will explore how these directors are reshaping Indian storytelling through authenticity, experimentation, and regional identity.
The inclusion of films from Assam, Manipur, and Sikkim at IFFI 2025 reflects the growing prominence of the Northeast as a cinematic powerhouse. With stories rooted in culture, resilience, and human emotion, the region continues to redefine the contours of Indian filmmaking — asserting that powerful narratives often emerge from the country’s most diverse corners.
