IFFI 2025: New era AI film Festival

Nov 24 2025

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IFFI 2025 – Global Cinema Expands with AI Innovation

SICA President A.Karthikraaja was one among honorable juries for non feature section.

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) will be held from November 20–28, 2025 in Panaji, Goa. With more than 240 films from 81 countries, this edition marks a major step forward in combining traditional cinematic excellence with the launch of India’s first AI Film Festival.

Various film personalities, technicians,students,film enthusiasts gathered in huge numbers, inclusive of Legendary Kamalhassan,artists from various countries, Cinematographers Sakthi Saravanan, Velraj and Popular VFX producer Ritto Prabu were there at GOA.

Festival Highlights

240+ films, 81 participating countries

Opening Film: The Blue Trail (Brazil–Mexico–Chile–Netherlands)

Closing Film: A Useful Ghost (Thailand–France–Singapore–Germany)

Country of Focus: Japan

Partner Country: Spain

Spotlight Country: Australia

Retrospectives, tributes, restored classics, and masterclasses

IFFI 2025 promotes the theme of “bigger, bolder, brighter,” balancing global artistic voices with new-age filmmaking.

Core Sections of IFFI 2025

International Competition – global films competing for the Golden Peacock

Best Debut Feature Film of a Director

Indian Panorama (Feature & Non-Feature)

ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal

Special Screenings, Retrospectives & Restored Classics

Masterclasses on sustainability, women-led cinema, and technology in filmmaking

Selected from Indian Panorama and competition streams:

Amaran (Tamil) – Opening film of Indian Panorama

Sarkeet (Malayalam) – experimental and socially rooted

Pokkhirajer Dim (Bengali) – science-fantasy blending folklore

Vimukt (Braj language) – independent voice from North India

Imbu (Tulu) – regional storytelling with cultural depth

Aata Thambaycha Naay (Marathi) – mainstream yet grounded in realism

Thudarum (Malayalam) – emotional and performance-driven narrative

These selections underline linguistic diversity and the rise of regional cinema on global platforms.

International Competition – Key Films

The international section features some of the most anticipated global titles of 2025:

The Blue Trail (Brazil/Mexico/Chile/Netherlands) – Opening Film, poetic cross-continental drama

Useful Ghost

(Thailand/France/Singapore/Germany) – Closing Film, atmospheric supernatural narrative

Rosalie (France) – character-driven historical drama exploring identity and transformation

The Settlers (Chile–Argentina–Denmark) – intense colonial-era drama with global acclaim

Static Silence (Poland–Germany) – minimalist psychological thriller

Under the Sunless Sky (Japan) – introspective and visually striking, aligning with the Country of Focus

Horizon of the Winds (Australia) – ecological survival drama representing the Spotlight Country

These films highlight shifting global concerns—identity, migration, spirituality, climate, and cross-cultural memory.

AI Film Festival – A Historic First

IFFI 2025 introduces India’s first AI-focused film showcase, integrated into the main festival.

Key Features

Screenings of films created using AI tools

Experiments in generative storytelling, virtual production, and algorithmic editing

CineAI Hackathon presentations from innovators

Industry talks on:

digital likeness and rights

ethics of AI-generated content

future of acting and authorship

Screenings are scheduled on Day 6 and Day 7, making this a central draw for students, creators, and tech-driven filmmakers.

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Why IFFI 2025 Matters

Brings global cinema and Indian regional voices onto the same stage

Expands festival culture into technology-driven storytelling

Encourages new creators, debut directors, and under-represented languages

Offers networking, industry training, and exposure to future-ready filmmaking

Sets a precedent for film festivals worldwide by embracing AI as part of mainstream programming

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Conclusion

IFFI 2025 is more than a celebration—it is a turning point. With powerful international entries, strong Indian representation, and the debut of the AI Film Festival, this edition bridges cinema’s artistic heritage with its technological future. For filmmakers, students, and educators, IFFI 2025 offers both inspiration and a preview of the next era of storytelling.

AI films list in international competition.

✅ Individual Filmmakers (India)

  1. Miracle on Kachua Beach – Shivanshu Nirupam – Hindi – India
  2. The Last Backup – Final Part – Sreerithanya M – English – Cinema Factory Academy, Chennai
  3. Jinx – Mansha Ttotla – English – India
  4. Astitva – Anurag Tiwari, Prasad Gori & Sagar Chogale – English – India

✅ Individual Filmmakers (International)

  1. Meme, Myself and AIV – Chris Boyle – English – United Kingdom

✅ Burano AIFF

  1. Aos de Papel – Arnau Zeas Siguenza – English/Spanish – USA
  2. The Star Shepherd – Xuan Li – English/Chinese – China

✅ Omni Film Festival

  1. The Ribbon – Ryan Patterson – English – Canada

✅ AI Film & Art Festival (Arizona)

  1. Sands of Time – Kevin Wang – Silent – United States
  2. The Screenwriter – Bkl Boukalaïl – English – Belgium
  3. Eve & Adam – Meta Puppet – English – United States
  4. Invisible Cities – Logik – English – United States
  5. The Cinema That Never Was – Mark Wachholz – English – Germany

✅ Adobe

  1. NAGORI – Guillaume Harbault – English – France
  2. My Friend Zeph – Dave Clark – English – USA
  3. Kyra – Meta Puppet – English – USA
  4. Dreamer – Ryan Patterson – English – USA
  5. ENTER THE BBL DRIZZYVERSE – Willionis Hatcher – English – USA
  6. Beta Earth – Nik Kleverov – English – USA

✅ MetaMorph

  1. A Letter in Early Fall – Zoey Zhang – English – United States
  2. Pi in the Sky – Petra Molnar – English – United Kingdom
  3. The Last Image – Frankie Caradonna – English – Italy
  4. Bite for Love – Vitaly Nico – English – United Kingdom

✅ Additional Titles (Bottom Section)

  1. Sludge – The Water Baron’s Show – Grant Hunter – English – United Kingdom
  2. Xero – Flame in the Wire – Paola Rocchetti – English – United States

for closing note few lines on iffi goa 2025

IFFI Goa 2025 has once again proved why it remains India’s foremost window to world cinema, blending artistic excellence with cultural celebration in the heart of Panaji.  As the curtains come down, the festival leaves behind new collaborations, unforgettable screenings and a renewed belief in cinema as a bridge between cultures.

This 56th edition strengthened India’s position on the global festival map with hundreds of films from across continents, vibrant red carpets, and energetic industry interactions that inspired both veterans and emerging voices.

Beyond the screen, the Goan ambience, IFFIESTA evenings and warm hospitality turned the festival zone into a living campus of ideas, performances and cinematic discovery.

As filmmakers, students and cinephiles return home, they carry not just memories of screenings but fresh stories to tell, new tools to explore and friendships that will shape the next chapter of cinema.  Until IFFI Goa 2026 lights up the coastline again, the spirit of this festival will continue to travel through every frame created in its afterglow.

Article drafted by

CJ Rajkumar

Author/ Cinematographer

 

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