Delhi to hosts first international film festival from March 25-31

New Delhi: Delhi will host its first International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) from March 25-31 with more than 125 Indian and international films set to be screened across multiple venues in the city. Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday unveiled the curtainraiser of the festival at Delhi Secretariat, describing it as a significant step towards positioning the city as a global cultural and cinematic hub.
The week-long festival will be organised at prominent venues such as Bharat Mandapam. Conceived as a govt-led, city-wide initiative, the festival aims to bring world cinema closer to the public while fostering a film culture among citizens. Apart from film screenings, the festival will host premieres and star-studded special screenings, offering audiences an opportunity to experience a wide range of work. Masterclasses by filmmakers and experts, industry panel discussions, workshops and cultural performances are part of the schedule, designed to provide in-depth insights and practical understanding of the craft and the business of cinema.A major highlight will be dedicated showcases for digital and emerging cinema, providing space for innovation and experimentation driven by new technologies. The festival will also feature the CineXchange Film Market and Cineverse Expo, envisioned as platforms for networking, distribution and investment opportunities for film professionals.According to the organisers, the event is aligned with Delhi govt's film policy and will place emphasis on film tourism, talent development, industry collaboration and the growth of the creative economy. A single-window facilitation system for filmmakers is expected to streamline shooting and production-related processes, making the capital more accessible for film projects.The festival is being organised by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation as a long-term cultural project to establish Delhi as a global film hub. Tourism minister Kapil Mishra said the festival will provide young talent with an international platform and encourage dialogue on evolving cinematic practices.By ensuring public access to international cinema and creating spaces for interaction between artistes, technicians and audiences, the festival aims to transform the capital into a vibrant centre where art, culture, and industry converge over 7 days of screenings and events, said CMO. The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was originally hosted in Delhi for several years after its inception in 1952. The national capital served as the primary venue, with screenings organised at major auditoriums and cultural centres, drawing diplomats, filmmakers and cinema lovers from across the world. However, in 2004, the festival was permanently shifted to Panaji, Goa.