**Summary:**
The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, was held on July 18, 2025, in Mumbai, at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) headquarters. Chaired by Union Minister for Information Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the meeting included Secretary, Ministry of IB, Shri Sanjay Jaju, Festival Director Shri Shekhar Kapur, Managing Director, NFDC, Shri Prakash Magdum, senior officials from the Government of Goa, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and NFDC, and members of the Steering Committee. Discussions centered on strategic planning for IFFI 2025, encompassing programming, outreach, talent engagement, and inclusivity initiatives.
The 56th edition of IFFI is scheduled for November 20-28, 2025, in Goa, with a focus on youth engagement through masterclasses, workshops, and networking platforms for student filmmakers and young content creators. The Film Bazaar is rebranded as WAVES Film Bazaar.
The Steering Committee has expanded from 16 to 31 members, incorporating a diverse range of industry representatives, including Anupam Kher, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Suhasini Maniratnam, Khushboo Sundar, Pankuj Parashar, and Prasoon Joshi. IFFI 2025 aims to support India's Creative Economy, media and entertainment startups, and attract global productions through facilitation and incentive policies.
For further information, contact Sayyid Rabeehashmi, Nikita Joshi, Sriyanka Chatterjee, or Preeti Malandkar. Social media: PIBMumbai. Email: pibmumbaiatgmaildotcom. Release ID: 2145796.
Key Entities Referenced
International Film Festival of India IFFI, Goa: An annual film festival held in Goa, India.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: City in India where the steering committee meeting took place.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The Indian government ministry responsible for information dissemination and broadcasting regulations.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting.
National Film Development Corporation NFDC: The headquarters where the steering committee meeting was held.
WAVES Film Bazaar: South Asia's largest film market, formerly known as Film Bazaar, running alongside IFFI.
Goa: The Indian state where the 56th IFFI is scheduled to be held.
Creative Economy: India's vision of strengthening startups in media and entertainment.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
First Meeting of the 56th IFFI Steering Committee
Held in Mumbai
Posted On: 18 JUL 2025 4:51PM by PIB Mumbai
: Mumbai, July 18, 2025
The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the 56th International Film Festival of
India (IFFI), Goa, was held at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC)
headquarters, in Mumbai today. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for
Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, and attended by Secretary,
Ministry of I&B, Shri Sanjay Jaju, Festival Director Shri Shekhar Kapur, Managing
Director, NFDC, Shri Prakash Magdum, senior officials from the Government of Goa,
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and NFDC, and an esteemed panel of
Steering Committee members from across the Indian and global film industries.
The meeting focused on strategic planning for IFFI 2025, with detailed discussions on
programming, outreach, talent engagement and innovative initiatives aimed at
enhancing the festival's inclusivity, global positioning, and public engagement. The
56th edition of IFFI is scheduled to be held from 20th to 28th November 2025 in Goa.
With a renewed focus on youth, the festival will open new avenues for student
filmmakers and young content creators through curated masterclasses, industry
workshops and networking platforms that connect new voices with global mentors.Running alongside IFFI is the newly rebranded WAVES Film Bazaar—South Asia’s
largest film market and a critical component of India’s international film outreach. The
rebranding of Film Bazaar to WAVES Film Bazaar was discussed and endorsed by the
Steering Committee as part of a broader strategic vision to position India as a global
hub for content, creativity, and co-productions.
In a move to foster greater inclusivity and creative insight into the festival’s design,
the Steering Committee has been significantly expanded—from 16 to 31
members—reflecting a more diverse and industry-representative body. The committee
includes notable names such as Anupam Kher, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Suhasini
Maniratnam, Khushboo Sundar, Pankuj Parashar, and Prasoon Joshi bringing a wealth
of expertise from across cinema, production, media, and cultural leadership.
IFFI 2025 is also aligned with India’s broader vision of strengthening the Creative
Economy, supporting startups in media and entertainment, and encouraging global
productions to shoot in India through single-window facilitation and incentive-based
policies. With its ambitious programming, inclusive approach, and commitment to
th
cinematic excellence, the 56 edition of IFFI is poised to be a landmark celebration -
one that reflects the evolving meaning of cinema in a connected, creative, andcollaborative world.
Sayyid Rabeehashmi/ Nikita Joshi/ Sriyanka Chatterjee/Preeti Malandkar
Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai
/pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai
(Release ID: 2145796)