International Film Festival of India (IFFI)

Overview

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is a government-backed competitive film festival held annually over nine days in November in Goa. The 56th edition runs November 20-28, 2025. IFFI is the only film festival in South Asia accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) in the Competitive Feature Films category. It is organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, in collaboration with the State Government of Goa.

IFFI screens 200+ films across its International Competition, Indian Panorama, World Panorama, and retrospective sections. The International Competition accepts up to 15 feature films (up to 3 Indian films included) competing for the Golden Peacock, which carries a cash prize of Rs 40 lakh (approximately USD 47,000) shared equally between the director and producer. Total awards across all categories are valued at approximately USD 113,856.

Running alongside IFFI is WAVES Film Bazaar (formerly Film Bazaar), South Asia's largest co-production market. The 19th edition in 2025 runs November 20-24 at the Marriott Resort in Goa, featuring a Co-Production Market with 22 selected feature projects, a Work-in-Progress Lab with 5 films selected from 50 entries, and a Viewing Room with 230 entries in 33 languages from 14 countries.

Submission Process and Fees

IFFI accepts submissions via FilmFreeway. There is no entry fee for any section.

International Competition:

• Eligibility: Fiction feature films only, 72+ minutes, completed between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025
• Premiere requirement: India Premiere mandatory for competitive sections; Asia Premiere preferred
• Subtitles: English subtitles required
• Deadline: August 31, 2025
• Notification: October 26, 2025
• Submission fee: Free
• Submission link: FilmFreeway - IFFI Goa

Indian Panorama (Feature and Non-Feature):

• Eligibility: Indian films in any language, 72+ minutes for features; documentary/non-fiction/short fiction for non-features. Completion between August 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025
• Deadline: August 18, 2025 (online application); August 25, 2025 (hard copy with materials)
• Submission fee: Free
• Selection: Up to 26 feature films and 21 non-feature films selected by jury
• Submission link: NFDC Indian Panorama or IFFI Indian Panorama Rules

Non-Competition (Cinema of the World):

• Accepts feature films including fiction and documentaries from around the world
• Same completion window and minimum runtime as International Competition
• Must not have been released or shown on OTT platforms or at any film festival in India prior to IFFI

Key Sections

• International Competition - Up to 15 fiction features competing for the Golden Peacock
• Indian Panorama - Curated selection of up to 26 feature and 21 non-feature Indian films; the most important annual survey of Indian cinema
• World Panorama - Non-competitive international features including fiction and documentaries
• Retrospectives and Tributes - Programs honoring established filmmakers and national cinemas
• Country Focus - Rotating spotlight on a single nation's cinema (Australia was the 2024 focus)
• Masterclasses and Open Forum - Sessions with major filmmakers and industry professionals
• WAVES Film Bazaar - Co-production market and industry platform (November 20-24, 2025)

Awards and Prizes

IFFI's total awards are valued at approximately USD 113,856. Key prizes include:

• Golden Peacock for Best Film - Rs 40 lakh (~USD 47,000) shared between director and producer, plus the Golden Peacock trophy and certificate
• Silver Peacock for Best Director - Cash prize and certificate
• Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Male) - Cash prize and certificate
• Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Female) - Cash prize and certificate
• Special Jury Award - Cash prize and certificate
• Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film - Rs 5,00,000 (~USD 5,900) plus trophy; up to 5 nominations selected before the winner is chosen
• ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal - For films promoting peace, tolerance, and non-violence
• FIPRESCI Prize - Awarded by the International Federation of Film Critics
• Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award - For contribution to global cinema (2024 recipient: Phillip Noyce)
• Indian Film Personality of the Year - For contribution to Indian cinema (2024 recipient: Vikrant Massey)

The 55th edition (2024) Golden Peacock winner was "Toxic" directed by Saulė Bliuvaitė (Lithuania), a debut feature about two 13-year-old girls in a Lithuanian industrial town. The film also won Silver Peacock for Best Actor (Female), shared by Vesta Matulyte and Ieva Rupeikaite.

WAVES Film Bazaar (Industry Market)

WAVES Film Bazaar (formerly Film Bazaar) is the industry component of IFFI, organized by NFDC since 2007. It is a B2B platform separate from the festival's B2C screenings. The 19th edition runs November 20-24, 2025 at the Marriott Resort, Goa.

Co-Production Market: 22 feature projects selected for 2025 from India, France, UK, Canada, USA, Russia, Philippines, and Singapore. Selected filmmakers pitch to international producers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers, and sales agents during an Open Pitch session, followed by one-on-one meetings. Projects span languages including Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Manipuri, Nepali, Malayalam, Tamil, and English.

Work-in-Progress Lab: 5 films selected from 50 entries in 14 languages from 7 countries. Filmmakers screen rough cuts before an international panel of advisors who provide feedback. Each project is paired with an international editor for dedicated editing sessions. Past lab films have gone on to premiere at Cannes, Busan, and San Sebastian.

Viewing Room: 230 entries in 33 languages from 14 countries in 2025, including 85 world premieres. A restricted-access platform connecting filmmakers with vetted buyers including programmers, distributors, sales agents, and investors. Buyers browse film information and contact filmmakers through customized software.

Producers Workshop: Training program for emerging South Asian producers.

Registration for delegates opens on the WAVES Film Bazaar website. Even if you cannot attend in person, Viewing Room submissions can still be accessed by buyers, with contact details printed in the catalogue.

What Filmmakers Should Know

For Indian filmmakers: Indian Panorama selection is the most significant annual curated recognition for Indian cinema. Up to 3 Indian Panorama films are recommended for the International Competition, and up to 2 debut films are recommended for the Best Debut Director award. There is no entry fee. Submit through the NFDC portal with a DCP (unencrypted, DCI compliant) and supporting materials including synopsis, director's note, stills, and posters.

For international filmmakers: Submission is free via FilmFreeway. Your film must be an India Premiere (not previously screened at any Indian festival or released on Indian OTT). An Asia Premiere improves your chances. The competition is limited to fiction features of 72+ minutes. IFFI is not an Academy Award-qualifying festival for short films. The primary value for international filmmakers is exposure to India's enormous film market and potential South Asian distribution interest.

For South Asian producers: WAVES Film Bazaar is the most comprehensive industry platform in South Asia. If you have a project in development, apply to the Co-Production Market. If you have a rough cut, apply to the Work-in-Progress Lab. If your film is complete or in post-production and seeking festivals, distribution, or gap financing, apply to the Viewing Room. All three have separate application processes and deadlines published on the WAVES Film Bazaar website.

For sales agents and buyers: The Viewing Room provides curated access to South Asian content. Buyer accreditation gives access to the customized VR software from November 21-24. The WAVES Film Bazaar Recommends section highlights 22 films handpicked by the programming team from Viewing Room submissions.

Festival History

IFFI was founded in 1952, making it the oldest international film festival in Asia. The first edition was organized by the Films Division, Government of India, under the patronage of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The festival traveled between Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Calcutta before settling permanently in Goa in 2004. The festival became an annual event from 1975 onwards.

The Golden Peacock award was instituted in 1965 at the 3rd competitive edition. The first winner was "Gamperaliya" (Sri Lanka). Since then, 38 films have received the Golden Peacock. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest film honor for lifetime achievement, is presented annually at IFFI.

WAVES Film Bazaar was added in 2007 as the festival's industry component and has grown into South Asia's largest film market. NFDC has provided financial support to over 300 films in 21 regional languages since its incorporation in 1975.

Practical Information

• 2025 dates: November 20-28, 2025
• Location: Panaji and wider Goa (venues in Panaji, Porvorim, Ponda, Margao, and Sanquelim)
• Opening and closing ceremonies: Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Panaji
• Submission platform: FilmFreeway
• Official website: iffigoa.org
• Film Bazaar website: filmbazaarindia.com
• Contact: iffigoa@nfdcindia.com
• Awards total: ~USD 113,856
• Golden Peacock cash prize: Rs 40 lakh (~USD 47,000)

See Also

For the Goa-specific edition details including venues and IFFIESTA cultural events, see IFFI Goa. For Indian co-production market strategy, see International Film Markets. For festival submission planning, see Film Festival Strategy. Use the Festival Entry Fee ROI Calculator to evaluate the cost-benefit of festival submissions.