IFFI 2026: Dates, Delegate Registration and Goa Guide

IFFI letters and decorations in Panaji, Goa, ahead of the 49th IFFI in 2018

Featured image: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India / Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India.

The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be held in Goa from 20 to 28 November 2026, with the opening ceremony on 20 November and the closing and awards ceremony on 28 November. Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker is the Festival Director for this edition, and delegate registration is open now. Whether you want to watch films, attend masterclasses or simply plan a late-November trip to Panaji, here is what you need to know.

Table of Contents

IFFI 2026 at a glance

Edition: 57th International Film Festival of India
Dates: Friday, 20 November to Saturday, 28 November 2026
Venue: Panaji, with screenings at designated venues across Goa
Organisers: National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, with the Government of Goa and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG)
Festival Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Official website: iffigoa.org

The dates and venue are confirmed on the festival’s official rules page and in the Press Information Bureau’s announcement of 25 July 2026, which also named Gowariker as Festival Director.

What is IFFI?

IFFI began in 1952 and describes itself as South Asia’s oldest and largest film festival. It is accredited by FIAPF, the international federation of film producers’ associations, and has been held in Goa since 2004. Each edition brings an international competition, a wide programme of Indian and world cinema, tributes and conversations with filmmakers. The top prize in the international competition is the Golden Peacock.

According to the official rules for the 57th edition, this year’s programme includes:

A grand opening ceremony on 20 November and the closing and award ceremony on 28 November
International and Indian films screened at festival venues across Goa
Masterclasses, In Conversation sessions, workshops and a Talent Hub
IFFI Mela, a cine-fair for the public with cultural programmes and interactive exhibitions on film themes
WAVES Film Bazaar, the market where Indian and international producers, distributors and sales agents meet
Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT), a showcase for young filmmakers
The Indian Film Personality of the Year award

The full film line-up, the opening film and the country in focus had not been announced on the official website at the time of writing. The 56th edition in 2025 had Japan as its focus country. Check iffigoa.org for the schedule as it is released.

How to register as an IFFI 2026 delegate

To watch films at IFFI you need to register as a delegate on the official delegate registration page. There are three main categories, and all applicants must be at least 18.

Category	Fee	Who can apply	Tickets per day
Film Professionals	Rs 1,180 (incl. 18% GST)	People working in cinema, TV and radio, writers on cinema, theatre and performing-arts professionals	Up to 5
Cine Enthusiasts	Rs 1,180 (incl. 18% GST)	Film lovers, and members of active cine clubs affiliated to FFI or FFSI	Up to 4
Students	Free	Film and mass communication students of recognised institutions in India	Up to 4

What you will need:

A government-issued ID as address proof
A short profile about yourself (and, for film professionals, details that establish your work in the field)
For students: a college ID and a letter from the head of the institution that names you

Registration is subject to document verification. Once approved, delegates book screening tickets online for free, within the daily limit. Popular films fill up quickly, so book as soon as the daily booking window opens. Media professionals had a separate accreditation route through PIB, which closed on 15 October 2026.

Is IFFI worth attending?

For film students and young filmmakers, the free student delegate pass, masterclasses and Creative Minds of Tomorrow make IFFI one of the most useful weeks of the year. For film lovers, it is a rare chance to see world cinema on a big screen, often with the director in the hall for a Q&A. If you are not interested in films, it is still worth knowing the dates. Panaji is crowded and hotels cost more during festival week, so plan a beach holiday for a different week.

Planning your trip to Goa for IFFI

IFFI falls at the start of Goa’s peak winter season, so flights and hotels near Panaji get expensive and fill up. A few tips:

Stay near Panaji. The main festival hub is in the capital. Staying in Panaji, Miramar or Dona Paula cuts travel time between screenings. Beach areas in North Goa are further away, especially in festival traffic.
Getting there. Goa has two airports: Dabolim and Manohar International Airport at Mopa in North Goa. Madgaon and Karmali (for Panaji) are the main railway stations on the Konkan Railway.
Getting around. Taxis, app cabs where available, and hired scooters are the usual options. Allow extra time on the opening and closing days.
Pace yourself. With up to four or five tickets a day, it is tempting to book back-to-back shows. Leave gaps for queues, meals and the Mela.
Check the weather. Late November in Goa is usually warm and dry, but carry a light layer for air-conditioned halls.

If you are travelling for longer, IFFI fits neatly into a winter itinerary. Our 2026-27 winter travel guide covers Goa’s beach season and when to book, and the India festival calendar for 2026-27 has the bigger dates. In the same week, the Pushkar camel fair wraps up in Rajasthan, and soon after IFFI ends, Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival opens on 1 December. For a desert contrast, the Rann Utsav tent city in Kutch runs through the winter.