Tag: Kala Academy Goa

Events in Goa

ART STORIES: An Exhibition Where Art, Healing and Inclusion Come Together

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

ART STORIES is an evocative exhibition of paintings that brings together creativity, healing and inclusion through art. The exhibition showcases artworks by persons with disabilities and participants of the course Art as a Healing Tool, offering unique visual expressions inspired by everyday thoughts, emotions and experiences. Rooted in the belief that “every person is an artist” and echoing Joseph Beuys’ idea that art can reshape society for the better, ART STORIES presents art as both personal expression and social engagement.

The exhibition is a collaborative effort between artists with intellectual disabilities from Divya Sadan, a project of Caritas Goa in Porvorim, and St Francis Xavier Vocational Centre, an education and vocation centre for children with disabilities in Old Goa, along with participants of the Art as a Healing Tool course organised by Caritas Goa in Panjim. All the artists were guided by artist and art facilitator Ms Lioba Knepple, whose approach focuses on creativity as a therapeutic and empowering process.

Curated by Samira Sheth, ART STORIES opens at 12 noon on Sunday, December 14, and will remain on view until December 21, 2025, outside the rehearsal room at Kala Academy. The exhibition is organised under the banner of the Serendipity Arts Festival 2025 and is open to the public with free entry, although prior registration is required.

Beyond the exhibition itself, ART STORIES carries a deeper purpose. Proceeds from the sale of paintings and other products will go towards supporting initiatives for persons with disabilities. Through this exhibition, Caritas Goa continues its commitment to working with the needy, the marginalised and the oppressed, using art as a powerful medium for healing, dignity and social change.

Events in Goa

Dr. L. Murugan Inaugurates IFFI 2025 Masterclass Series, Spotlight on AI, Sustainability & Women-led Cinema

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) opened a significant chapter today as Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, inaugurated the festival’s prestigious Masterclass Series at the Kala Academy in Goa. This year marks a historic milestone with the Masterclass inauguration being held for the first time in the presence of the general public, reflecting IFFI’s vision of fostering greater accessibility, openness, and participation from film enthusiasts across all walks of life. Distinguished dignitaries including Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Shri Sanjay Jaju, Joint Secretary Dr. Ajay Naghbhushan, National Film Development Corporation Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum, celebrated filmmaker Shri Muzaffar Ali, and noted film personality Shri Ravi Kottarakara graced the occasion, reinforcing the festival’s stature as a global platform for cinematic dialogue and innovation.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Murugan emphasized India’s expanding cultural footprint, noting that more than 200 films from around the world will be screened at this year’s festival. He highlighted that IFFI 2025 aligns with India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat, showcasing the nation’s creative evolution on the global stage. Underscoring the government’s commitment to Nari Shakti, he shared that 50 films directed by women will be showcased, reflecting the growing prominence, participation, and excellence of women filmmakers within the industry, inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The Masterclass Series has drawn participants from multiple countries including Australia, Japan, Germany, and Canada, emphasizing its widening global reach and relevance in contemporary filmmaking. This year’s edition promises a rich spectrum of learning opportunities through panel discussions, interactive workshops, roundtable sessions, fireside chats, and interviews designed to deepen understanding of the craft. Acclaimed film personalities such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Anupam Kher, Muzaffar Ali, Shad Ali, Shekhar Kapur, Rajkumar Hirani, Aamir Khan, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Suhasini Maniratnam will lead various sessions, making the lineup one of the most dynamic and influential in IFFI’s history.

Setting an inspiring tone, renowned filmmaker Shri Muzaffar Ali conducted the first session of the series, offering participants a glimpse into his rich cinematic philosophy. The Masterclass program this year will explore emerging and future-forward themes, including the integration of Artificial Intelligence in filmmaking, sustainability practices within the creative industry, and technical advancements in cinematography, visual effects, and special effects. Theatre acting workshops led by seasoned experts will further enhance the festival’s holistic focus on performance arts.

By blending global expertise with India’s cultural strengths, IFFI 2025 continues to evolve as a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking festival that celebrates the art of cinema while nurturing the next generation of storytellers.

Events in Goa

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

allycaralgoa

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.