India Morning News
- “Goa celebrates creativity and offers an experience no other destination can,” says CM Dr. Pramod Sawant
- First Ever IFFI Opening Parade Lights Up Goa with Performers and Colourful Tableaux
Panaji : The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened in Goa today with great fanfare, setting the tone for an exciting cinematic celebration. The inaugural ceremony began with a vibrant parade featuring colourful tableaux and captivating live performances, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Goa and the enduring spirit of Indian cinema.
This year’s festival is centred on the theme Convergence of Creativity and Technology, highlighting how filmmaking is evolving through visual innovation, advanced digital tools and emerging formats. Japan has been chosen as the Country of Focus, strengthening the festival’s emphasis on cultural exchange and acknowledging the deep creative influence of Japanese cinema. The IFFI Mile has also returned, offering cultural performances, installations, live music and community spaces that allow the public to experience the festival more closely.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant spoke about Goa’s growing bond with IFFI over the past twenty years. He said that Goa celebrates creativity through world class facilities, strong presentation capabilities and the warmth of its people, creating an experience no other destination can match. He added that this year’s introduction of an open parade reflects the state’s commitment to making the festival more inclusive, while traditional performances such as Romtamel bring Goan culture to a global audience. The Chief Minister also emphasised that the government continues to support local talent through policies that encourage filmmaking in the state.
The opening parade featured twenty six floats, representing cultural groups, youth performers, production houses, film institutions and local artists. The festival then opened with the film The Blue Trail, setting an international tone for the week’s screenings and events.
Goan cinema holds a strong position at IFFI 2025. Two Goan films, Claudia and The Pilot, are part of the Gala Premiere Section, while five more feature in the Goa Section under Director’s Cut and Producer’s Cut categories. The Chief Minister congratulated the filmmakers and underscored the government’s ongoing efforts to create a filmmaker friendly environment through financial support, streamlined processes and a forthcoming single window clearance system.
The opening ceremony was attended by Hon’ble Governor of Goa Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Mrs. Gajapathi Raju, Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan, Union Minister of State Shri Shripad Naik, Rajya Sabha MP Shri Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Lok Sabha MP Shri Ramesh Awasthi, Secretary Information and Broadcasting Shri Sanjay Jaju, Chief Secretary Dr. V. Candavelou, Festival Director Shri Shekhar Kapur, BJP State President Shri Damu Naik, ESG Vice Chairperson Smt. Delilah Lobo and actor Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna, along with several distinguished guests from the Indian and international film community.
