**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has appointed acclaimed filmmaker Shri Ashutosh Gowariker as the Festival Director for the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The festival is scheduled to be held in Goa in November 2026 and aims to showcase global cinematic excellence while promoting cultural exchange. Shri Gowariker will lead the 57th edition, building on his long-standing association with the festival to carry forward its established legacy.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Appointment and Leadership**
* Shri Ashutosh Gowariker has been officially named the Festival Director for the 57th edition of IFFI.
* The appointment was announced by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on May 1, 2026.
* Gowariker brings decades of experience to the role, having previously served as the Jury President for International Cinema at IFFI in 2024.
* **Festival Schedule and Venue**
* The 57th edition of the festival is set to take place in November 2026.
* The event will be hosted in Goa, continuing its tradition as a global cinematic crossroads.
* **Organizational Framework**
* IFFI is South Asia’s oldest film festival, established in 1952.
* The event is jointly hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Entertainment Society of Goa, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
* **Festival Components and Objectives**
* The 2026 edition promises an expanded scope covering diverse languages, storytelling traditions, and new technologies.
* Core features include international competitions, curated country focuses, masterclasses, and tributes.
* The "WAVES Film Bazaar" will serve as a key platform for creative partnerships, collaborations, and the exchange of ideas.
**Impact Analysis**
**Shri Ashutosh Gowariker**
**Impact**
He assumes a leadership position with the responsibility of overseeing the festival's programming and maintaining its historical legacy.
**Action Required**
He must collaborate closely with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Government of Goa to plan and execute the 57th edition.
**Ministry of Information & Broadcasting / NFDC**
**Impact**
The Ministry has secured a distinguished industry veteran to lead one of Asia’s premier film festivals, ensuring professional continuity and expertise.
**Action Required**
The Ministry must provide the necessary administrative support and coordination with the new Director to prepare for the November 2026 event.
**Film Industry Professionals (Auteurs, Debutants, and Technicians)**
**Impact**
Stakeholders across the global film industry gain a high-profile platform for showcasing work, attending masterclasses, and forming international collaborations.
**Action Required**
Interested participants and filmmakers should prepare for the festival's various segments, including international competitions and the WAVES Film Bazaar, ahead of the November 2026 deadline.
Key Entities Referenced
Shri Ashutosh Gowariker: Acclaimed filmmaker appointed as the Festival Director for the 57th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
International Film Festival of India (IFFI): Asia’s premier film festival, established in 1952, which serves as a global platform for cinematic excellence and cultural exchange.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The central government ministry responsible for the appointment of the Festival Director and the overall administration of IFFI.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): The nodal agency under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that jointly hosts the film festival.
Goa: The central location and host state for the International Film Festival of India, involved in its organization through the Entertainment Society of Goa.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Shri Ashutosh Gowariker Appointed as Festival
Director for 57th International Film Festival of
India
Posted On: 01 MAY 2026 1:05PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has appointed noted filmmaker Shri Ashutosh Gowariker as
the Festival Director for the 57th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), to be held in
Goa.
Shri Gowariker is an acclaimed filmmaker with a distinguished contribution to Indian cinema. His
association with IFFI spans several decades, reflecting his deep engagement with the evolution of
cinematic arts and international film culture.
Expressing his views on the appointment, Shri Gowariker stated, “It gives me immense pride and joy to
serve as the Festival Director for the prestigious 57th International Film Festival of India, Goa. I feel
privileged to have witnessed the evolution of this festival. From attending it in 1984 to continuing my
association over the years, right up to 2024, when I served as the Jury President for International Cinema.”
He further added, “To carry forward the legacy that has been created, nurtured, and expanded over the
decades since 1952 by innumerable festival teams, is a great honour, accompanied by a renewed sense of
responsibility. I look forward to working closely with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the
Government of Goa.”
The International Film Festival of India, established in 1952, is one of Asia’s premier film festivals and
serves as a significant platform for showcasing excellence in global cinema while promoting cultural
exchange.About IFFI
Born in 1952, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) stands tall as South Asia’s oldest and most
enduring celebration of cinema. Jointly hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) of
India under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, along with the Entertainment Society of Goa,
Government of Goa, the festival has evolved into a global cinematic crossroads. Here, restored classics
converse with daring new voices, and legendary auteurs share space with fearless debutants.
What gives IFFI its distinctive energy is its dynamic blend. This includes international competitions,
curated country focuses, masterclasses, tributes, and the vibrant WAVES Film Bazaar, where ideas,
collaborations, and creative partnerships take shape. Set against Goa’s luminous coastal backdrop, the
57th edition of IFFI, to be held in November 2026, promises an even more expansive canvas. It will bring
together a rich spectrum of languages, forms, technologies, and storytelling traditions.
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Mahesh Kumar/ Vivek Vishwash
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