57th INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF INDIA, 2026
RULES AND REGULATIONS

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is organized by the National Film Development Corporation of India Ltd (NFDC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India in collaboration with the State Government of Goa and the Indian Film Industry. The Festival is recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations (FIAPF).

Article 1. OBJECTIVES
The Festival aims at providing a common platform for film-makers of the world to project their excellence in film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos; and promoting friendship and co-operation among people of the world. Since its inception in 1952, India has hosted 56 editions of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), encompassing both competitive and non-competitive formats, with the festival becoming an annual event from 1975 onwards.

Article 2. DATE AND VENUE
The 57th edition of IFFI will be held from November 20th – 28th, 2026 in Goa, India.

Article 3. FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
The 57th IFFI will feature, among others, the following important programmes-
● Grand Opening Ceremony (on 20th November) and IFFI Closing and Award Ceremony
(28th November)
● A programme of films – International as well as Indian - screened at designated festival
venues across Goa.
● Masterclasses, In Conversation Sessions, Workshops and Talent Hub etc.
● IFFI Mela (Cine-Fair) for public engagement - including cultural programmes and
interactive exhibitions themed around films.
● WAVES Film Bazaar: A market showcasing rich content to potential buyers from
different countries across the world.
● Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) - a launchpad for the storytellers of the future,
who will drive India's creative economy.
● Conferment of two awards for contribution to cinema – (1) Satyajit Ray Excellence in
Cinema Award, and (2) Indian Film Personality of the Year Award.

Article 4. PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
4.1 INTERNATIONAL SECTION
The International Section is broadly divided into two categories:

4.1.1 COMPETITION
The Competition Section comprises of three categories:
a) Main International Competition
b) Competition for the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director
c) Competition for ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal

4.1.2 NON-COMPETITION/CURATED SECTIONS
The Non-Competition Section comprises the various Curated Sections such as
From the Festivals, Rising Stars, Mission Life, Experimental Films, Docu-montage,
Macabre Dreams and Cinema of the World etc. There may also be sections such as
Retrospectives, Country Focus, Special Screenings etc.

4.2 INDIAN SECTION
The India Section broadly comprises of:

4.2.1 INDIAN PANORAMA, which includes:
o Feature films
o Non-feature films
o Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film Award
o New Horizons
o Special Packages

4.2.2 THE BEST WEB SERIES (OTT) AWARD

For further information regarding Indian Panorama please refer to the Indian Panorama Rules and Regulations published on the IFFI website.

Awards & Prizes

Article 5. INTERNATIONAL SECTIONS, AWARDS & PRIZES
5.1 COMPETITION
5.1.1 Main International Competition
This is the flagship competition of the Festival. Under this competition, the awards (A)
to (E) will be determined by the International Jury from amongst up to 15 nominees. All
entries for the Main International Competition will be evaluated for eligibility and
suitability for the Festival by its Programming Department headed by Artistic Director,
IFFI. Shortlisted entries will be previewed by the Preview Committee which will further
recommend up to 12 foreign films for the competition. Up to 3 Indian film entries in the
International Competition will be identified by the Indian Panorama Jury at the time of
final selection of Indian Panorama Films.
Awards for Main International Competition:
A. Best Film
a. A Cash prize of Rs. 40,00,000/- to be shared equally between the
Director and Producer.
b. Director is to be given the Golden Peacock and a Certificate in addition
to the cash component.
c. Producer to be given a Certificate in addition to the cash component.
B. Best Director
a. Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of Rs.15,00,000/-
C. Best Actor (Male)
a. Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 10,00,000/-
D. Best Actor (Female)
a. Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 10,00,000/-
E. Special Jury Award
a. Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 15,00,000/- given to a
film (for any aspect of the film which the jury wishes to
award/acknowledge) or an individual (for his/her artistic contribution
to a film). The award, if given to a film, will be given to the Director of the
film.

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5.1.2 Competition for the Best Debut Feature Film Of A Director
The objective of this competition is to encourage the most promising new directorial
talent in world cinema. This award will be determined by the International Jury from
up to 7 nominees. All entries will be evaluated for eligibility and suitability for the
Festival by its Programming Department headed by Artistic Director, IFFI. Shortlisted
entries will be previewed by the Preview Committee which will further recommend up
to 5 foreign films for the competition. Up to 2 Indian film entries will be identified by
the Indian Panorama Jury at the time of final selection of Indian Panorama Films.
Award for the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director shall include the Silver Peacock,
certificate and cash prize of Rs 15,00,000/-

5.1.3 Competition for the ICFT UNESCO – Gandhi Medal
IFFI 2026 in collaboration with the International Council for Film, Television and
Audiovisual Communication (ICFT), Paris, will present a special ICFT prize consisting of
the UNESCO Gandhi Medal awarded to a film which reflects the ideals promoted by
UNESCO - especially: Tolerance, Intercultural Dialogue & Culture of Peace.
The International Programming Department will evaluate the entries received for
eligibility and suitability for the award. The Preview Committee will recommend up to
7 foreign films for this category. The Indian Panorama Jury will recommend up to 3
Indian films for this award. The Award will be determined by the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi
Medal Jury which will be instituted by the ICFT Secretariat. Nominees will have to
submit appropriate online screeners for the Jury to view and determine the awardee.
Broad guidelines for the selection of the films for the UNESCO Gandhi Medal:
A. Have a strong ethical component.
B. High aesthetic value.
C. Exhibit artistic excellence in screenplay, film technique and music.
D. Attract a wide audience, especially among youth, whose view of media is
distorted by violent imagery and showy techniques which are devoid of
intelligence and critical discernment.
E. Additionally include an educational component to cope with the flood of
inappropriate imagery commonly marketed.
F. Awareness of the role of the filmmaker in confronting a declining society;
because it is recognized that cinematographic and video images are much more
powerful than any other means of communication.

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5.2.1 JURY COMPOSITION FOR MAIN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION SECTION AND
COMPETITION FOR THE BEST DEBUT FEATURE FILM OF A DIRECTOR

1. The Jury for these will consist of a Chairperson and not less than two and not
more than four other members, of which one member will be from India.
2. The decisions of the jury will be taken by a simple majority of the members
present and voting. The jury can evolve its own rules for the assessment of the
entries. The Managing Director, NFDC and/or his representative can attend the
jury deliberations but shall neither participate nor vote.
3. No person connected in any way with the production or commercial
exploitation of a competitive entry may be on the jury.
4. All members of the jury will refrain from releasing any articles or reviews to the
press concerning the films submitted for their judgment until the results of the
final selection have been formally announced at the closing function.
5.2.2 JURY COMPOSITION FOR COMPETITION FOR THE ICFT UNESCO GANDHI
MEDAL

The ICFT UNESCO Jury is composed of representatives of the International
Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication (ICFT), Paris and
UNESCO and they will review the films online remotely.

Note:

• Entrants for competitive categories must agree that the concerned professional will receive
the award in person, if the film/she/he wins any award. It is suggested that if the awardee
is not able to personally attend the award function on the closing night for any reason, he or
she should, in writing, nominate the Director, Producers or another crew member from the
same film or an immediate family member to receive the award. National Film Development
Corporation Ltd reserves the right to cancel the cash component in case the awardee(s) is
unable to present either herself/himself/themselves, or nominate the Director, Producers or
another crew member from the same film at the award ceremony on the closing night.

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5.3 EXCELLENCE AWARDS
The festival recognizes the contribution of stalwarts to cinematic arts through the
following two awards:
5.3.1 Satyajit Ray Excellence in Cinema Award:
This prestigious award, instituted in the name of legendary filmmaker Satyajit
Ray, consisting of a cash prize of Rs. 10,00,000/-, certificate, shawl, trophy
(Silver Peacock) and a scroll, is conferred upon a master filmmaker/film
technician/film personality for their outstanding contribution to cinema.
5.3.2 Indian Film Personality Of The Year Award:
This prestigious award consisting of a cash prize of Rs 10,00,000/-, certificate,
shawl and trophy (Silver Peacock) is conferred upon an Indian film personality
for their outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema.

5.4. NON-COMPETITION/CURATED PACKAGES
1. Films for inclusion in this section, must be feature length, not less than 72
minutes in duration, in original language soundtrack with English Subtitles.
English Language films must also carry subtitles in English. For its curated
packages, the Festival may relax the eligibility criteria, subject to the merit of
the film and the curatorial discretion for the segment. Fiction and documentary
features along with other forms of feature genres and aesthetics are eligible.
2. They must have been completed between 1st September 2025 and 31st August
2026.
3. All films selected for the International Section – irrespective of the sub section
- must provide a DCP.
4. Films that have been presented in earlier editions of the International Film
Festival of India, or already screened in India, will be excluded, unless previously
agreed to by the Managing Director NFDC, in exceptional cases.
5. Non-competition and Curated Packages are subject to the artistic vision of the
Festival and will be determined by the Festival Director/Artistic Director.

Rules & Terms

Article 6. RULES & REGULATIONS
6.1. Eligibility
Films entered in the International Section of the festival MUST fulfil the following
conditions:
1. Films must be fiction, feature length in duration, i.e. not less than 72 minutes, and in
original language sound-track with English subtitles.
2. They must have been completed between 1st September 2025 and 31st August 2026.
Eligibility will be determined by the declaration made by the entrant in the film entry
form. For International films, where no proof is available, the date of the first theatrical
public screening will be considered as completion date.
3. Except for Indian films, the entries in this section should not have been released/
shown on virtual/ OTT platforms/ physically in India or presented in any other Indian
Film Festivals before.
4. In the case of co-productions, the entrants must comply with article 15.3 of the
Festival’s regulations and therefore have the right to sanction the participation of the
film in the International Competition and also sanction the authority to receive awards,
if the film wins any.
5. The production company or producing entity must be registered and based outside
India. Eligibility shall be determined solely on the country of registration of the
producing entity, irrespective of the nationality, citizenship, or residency status of the
cast, crew, director, or other creative personnel involved in the production.
6. In the case of an official co-production involving India, the majority producing entity
shall be a foreign production company or an entity registered and based outside India.
The determination of majority production shall be based on the principal producing
entity as declared in the official credits and entry documentation, irrespective of the
nationality or citizenship of the cast or crew.
7. Entrants must agree that if their film/films win any of the Golden and/or Silver
Peacock Awards, all screenings thereafter will acknowledge the Award(s) on the film
print itself.
8. Foreign Films for International Competition will be evaluated for eligibility and
suitability for the Festival by its Programming Department headed by Artistic Director,
IFFI. Shortlisted entries will be previewed by a designated committee (Preview
Committee) which will further recommend foreign films for the competition. Indian
film entries in the Competition Sections will be identified by the Indian Panorama Jury
at the time of final selection of Indian Panorama Films. The Festival Director/Artistic
Director holds the right to consider the films that are not accepted for the Competition
Sections as entries for the Non-competition/Curated sections of the Festival.

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However, consent of the entrant shall be sought before selection and inclusion in the
festival
9. The competition will be held subject to the acceptance of a maximum number (as
specified under each section) of eligible films from different continents/countries as
specified in the regulations. If selected for any competition section, the entrant whose
films would be awarded will be requested permission to provide the festival with a
region-free DCP of the film for archival purposes.
10. Once the film has been selected and the right holder confirms her/his agreement, the
film in the official programme shall not be withdrawn from the festival programme
before or during the event except with the approval of the Festival Director/Artistic
Director. Withdrawal of film without approval may lead to penalization for future
editions as per the to the discretion of the Festival Management.
11. The National Film Development Corporation Ltd may organize screenings of the IFFI
award-winning films in various other festivals held under its responsibility. The right
holders of IFFI award-winning films will be requested permission for any screening of
their film in such a framework.
12. For Eligibility Criteria for submission to Indian Panorama refer to Indian Panorama Rules
and Regulations uploaded in IFFI website: https://www.iffigoa.org/. Films deemed
ineligible for Indian Panorama (Feature Film category) are encouraged to check their
eligibility for participation in the International section of the Festival.

Article 7. ENTRY DEADLINES
The deadline for receiving applications and preview material is 31st August 2026.

Article 8. ENTERING FILMS IN THE FESTIVAL
1. Foreign film producers, sales agents, distributors, or their duly authorized
representatives or duly authorized Government organization/agency of the
participating countries may enter their films via the Film Freeway platform
(https://filmfreeway.com/InternationalFilmFestivalofIndiaIFFI-Goa) after duly
reading the Regulations.
2. Indian Films may submit their applications through the Indian Panorama, which will be
opened and advertised in all the national dailies. The same will be available on the
official website of the festival (https://www.iffigoa.org or https://nfdcindia.com) as
well.
3. Enquiries for International Cinema entries may be addressed to the International
Programming Team at programming@nfdcindia.com

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4. Enquiries for Indian Panorama entries may be addressed to the Indian Programming
Team at indianpanorama@nfdcindia.com
5. Enquiries for Film Bazaar may be addressed to: Head of Programming, Film Bazaar at
(films@nfdcindia.com)
6. National Film Development Corporation Ltd may also invite films which it considers of
interest.

Article 9. FINAL SCREENING MATERIALS
1. DCPs of the films selected for exhibition in the festival must be received on or before
15th October, 2026, whether online or in physical form. The Festival prefers online
transfer of DCPs with KDMs for the entire festival period. If sent through physical mode,
prints should only be sent to the festival Office in Goa through the official freight
handlers of the festival, as per the instructions given by the festival print unit.
2. National Film Development Corporation Ltd will not be responsible for any
repercussions arising from deviation of the print dispatch instructions issued by the
print unit.
3. After conclusion of the festival, the final screening materials shall be returned through
air- freight or diplomatic channels, as per specific written instructions received from
the film right holder. The festival would bear only one-way freight. Wherever previously
agreed upon by the festival, the festival will also be undertaking the actual cost of return
freight charges (both ways) but will not be liable for payment of customs, duties, freight
handler’s fees etc., outside India. It will be borne solely by the film recipient.

Article 10. INSURANCE
The Insurance of DCP prints in transit from the country of origin to the National Film
Development Corporation Ltd and from the National Film Development Corporation Ltd to the
country of origin will be the responsibility of the entrant. The National Film Development
Corporation Ltd will insure the prints against damage, partial and total, by fire, theft or any other
unnatural causes from the moment it takes delivery of the prints to the moment it hands them
back to the concerned airline/agency for dispatch, in conformity with Addendum 1 of the FIAPF
Regulations for International Film Festivals. Technical complaints regarding the returned
screening copy must be reported to the festival in writing within 5 days after being received.

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Article 11. FREIGHT AND OTHER CHARGES

1. In case the DCPs are being sent in physical form, the same should be sent "freight pre-
paid" i.e. at the sender's cost. After the Festival, the DCP's will be returned to the

senders by air freight at the cost of the National Film Development Corporation Ltd.
2. The National Film Development Corporation Ltd will not pay any charges other than
the air-freight charges. It may also be noted that the National Film Development
Corporation Ltd cannot reimburse any freight or other charges in foreign currency,
unless previously agreed to in writing.
3. The National Film Development Corporation Ltd will not bear freight or any other
charges for unsolicited films, Videos or DVDs sent to it if these are not selected for
screening in the Festival.

Article 12. SUBTITLING
Films will only be screened in their original language/version with English Subtitles. English
language films will also have to carry English Subtitles. Films without English subtitles will not
be screened at the festival and they will also not be subtitled by the Festival.

Article 13. SCREENING
1. For screening at IFFI, all films need to either have been certified by the Central Board
of Film Certification, India or need to have obtained exemption under Section 9 of
Cinematograph Act, 1952. Certified films or films in process of certification must
complete their certification and submit the certificate to the Festival prior to November
20th, 2026.
2. The Festival, on behalf of all selected but uncertified films, will undertake formalities
for exemption from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Selection to the
Festival and the screenings of these films at the Festival shall be subject to the grant of
necessary exemptions and approvals from the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, Government of India.
3. National Film Development Corporation Ltd reserves the right to exclude films that are
not in conformity with the philosophy and objective of the festival, or which could
offend the feelings/susceptibilities of any participating country, or are likely to
promote discrimination of any kind.
4. The accepted films will not be shown outside the Festival zone by the National Film
Development Corporation Ltd, without written consent of the right holder.
5. The Festival proposes to have a maximum of five screenings per selected films as per
FIAPF Regulations for International Film festivals.

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Article 14. EXCERPTS FOR TELEVISION/OTT/SOCIAL MEDIA
Producers/authorized entrants are requested to supply four excerpts of the film(s) entered,
each of a maximum of three minutes, to the National Film Development Corporation Ltd. High
Resolution uncompressed video of the same may be sent in a digital format.

Article 15. GENERAL
1. Teaching Videos, Corporate, Advertising and Films made as part of film school
curriculum are not eligible for participation in the International section.
2. Final screening material must comply with technical standards specified by SMPTE for
screening at International Film Festivals. National Film Development Corporation Ltd
reserves the right to refuse screening if found otherwise.
3. The participants must ensure that they have the right to participate in the International
Film Festival of India with regard to parties connected with the production
/distribution of the participating film and /or other right holders/licenses. In the case
of competition entries, the entrants must ensure that they have the right to sanction
participation of the film for the award and also sanction the authority to receive awards,
if the film wins any.
4. Participation in the Festival implies acceptance of these Regulations.
5. The Managing Director, National Film Development Corporation Ltd will decide all
matters not expressly provided for in these regulations but in conformity with the
provisions of the International Regulations for film festivals and her/his decisions shall
be final and binding on all Parties.

Article 16. CORRESPONDENCE AND SHIPPING ADDRESS
DCP screeners for the selection and all film prints sent through diplomatic channels can be sent
at the following office in Mumbai. All correspondence, publicity materials, DCP of the selected
films should also be addressed to:
Managing Director
International Film Festival of India,
National Film Development Corporation Ltd,
NFDC Complex, 24, Dr. Gopalrao Deshmukh Marg, Mumbai 400 026, Maharashtra,

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Tel: +91 22 35248444
E-MAIL:
International Cinema: (programming@nfdcindia.com)
Indian Panorama: (indianpanorama@nfdcindia.com)
Waves Film Bazaar: (films@nfdcindia.com)
WEBSITES: (online application)
http://www.iffigoa.org
www.nfdcindia.com
https://filmfreeway.com/InternationalFilmFestivalofIndiaIFFI-Goa
14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Björn Schürmann

    We had a wonderful international premiere of my debut feature film BALANCE at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
    What a great audience, what a great organisation. Thank you for inviting us to this extraordinary festival!
    Much love!

    December 2025
    Helpful
  • Joshua Trigg

    SO GOOD!!! SUBMIT YOUR FILM!!!
    I had the best time in Goa with such a lovely team :)

    December 2024
    Helpful
  • Cristy Coors Beasley

    If there was a way to give seven stars I would. Jt is a festival of such high quality while having quality speakers, panelists and films. And the hospitality was beyond amazing!! Thank you IFFI Goa and Mr. Pankaj Saxena!

    December 2024
    Helpful
  • Mburucuya Fleitas

    The festival was really amazing!

    August 2024
    Helpful
  • Kwang Han Wong

    Amazing Festival. Warm people and very professional. Huge spectrum of films from commercial to arthouse. Wide and varied audience. Lovely country and wonderful festival.

    December 2023
    Helpful