Paying ode to India’s rich culture and its love for storytelling, the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began here on Thursday with a parade instead of the formal inaugural ceremonies of the past.
The festival, which runs till November 28, started with a float parade from old GMC building. The parade’s centrepiece, ‘Bharat Ek Soor’ featured several folk artists performing traditional dances from across the country.
IFFI is the platform where Indian creators, producers and storytellers meet the world and Goa is proud to be a gateway for this global experience, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said.
Prior to the parade, legendary Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna was honoured at the opening ceremony of the festival for completing 50 years in cinema.
The festival will feature over 240 films from 81 countries, including 13 world premieres, five international premieres and 44 Asian premieres.
Japan is the ‘Country of Focus’ for 2025 and six curated titles, representing the nation’s evolving cinematic language, will be screened at the festival. Spain will serve as the ‘Partner Country’, while Australia will be the ‘Spotlight Country’.
The opening film of IFFI 2025 is Brazilian auteur Gabriel Mascaro’s The Blue Trail, a sci-fi and fantasy feature following a 75-year-old woman’s defiant voyage through the Amazon. (PTI)
IFFI festival kicks off with dazzling parade, India’s cultural display
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