top of page
The Communiqué News

On the fifth day of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji, Goa, the day included an enlightening masterclass by the well-known writer/director Mr. Rajkumar Hirani, along with exclusive film screenings and numerous other activities.


Swati Bhat

Rajkumar Hirani on the Emotional Journey from Writing to Editing at IFFI 2025

In his Masterclass on Writing and Editing, Rajkumar Hirani emphasised that writing is the process of envisioning a film, whereas editing is the phase where a film is truly experienced. He highlighted the often-overlooked significance of an editor, noting that a film attains its true essence at the editing table. Mr. Hirani also explored the underlying themes in some of his iconic films.

During the film screenings, critically acclaimed works were showcased, including the Japanese film "Two Seasons, Two Strangers," the world premiere of the Albanian film "Hana," and Govind Nihalani’s 1984 classic "Party." Creators of non-mainstream films such as "Lala and Poppy" and "The Pursuit of Spring" offered insights into their projects, emphasizing how their storytelling seeks not only to entertain but also to make a lasting impact on audiences.

Later in the day, IFFI’s musical event, IFFIesta, will conclude at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium. The finale will feature programs such as Battle of Bands, Suron Ka Eklavya, Waah Ustad, and Devanchal ki Prem Katha.

Day 04 of IFFI 2025 highlighted international talent through creative challenges


Swati Bhat

Celebrating the Triumphs of Young Filmmakers at the 48-Hour Challenge

Day 04 of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 was a vibrant assembly of global talent, marked by the conclusion of intense creative challenges and inspiring masterclasses.

The day began with the grand finale of the 48-hour Challenge of Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT), capturing the exhaustion, relief, and joy of young filmmakers as they presented their final projects.

The PIB Media Centre was the lively heart of the festival, hosting a series of significant press conferences. Directors and actors from 'De Tal Palo' (Iván Dariel Ortiz Landrón, José Félix Gómez) and 'Pike River' (Robert Sarkies) shared their compelling stories, while the teams behind 'Seaside Serendipity' (Tomomi Yoshimura) and 'Tiger' (Anshul Chauhan, Kosei Kudo, Mina Moteki) highlighted the strong influence of Asian cinema.

Indian regional cinema and documentaries were prominently showcased, with Sandesh Kadur, Paresh Mokashi, and Debangkar Borgohain discussing their unique films: 'Nilgiris – A Shared Wilderness,' 'Mukkam Post Bombilwadi,' and 'Sikaar'. International artistry continued to captivate as directors Christina Theresa Tournatzès ('Karla') and Hayakawa Chie ('Renoir') shared their creative journeys in a joint session.

The highlight of Day 04 was the much-anticipated Masterclass: 'Giving Up is NOT a Choice!'. Renowned Actor and Speaker Anupam Kher enthralled the audience at Kala Academy with a powerful and motivational speech that reinforced the day's theme of resilience and passion.

Conclusion of 48 hours of Challenge of CMOT

Celebrating the Triumphs of Young Filmmakers at the 48-Hour Challenge

The 48-hour "Creative Minds of Tomorrow" (CMOT) challenge concluded with a closing ceremony today, November 23, 2025, at the Kala Academy in Goa, as part of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025.




WAVES Bazaar serves as a specialized platform for businesses to present their products and services, seek collaborative opportunities, and form new partnerships.

Swati Bhat

WAVES Bazaar Elevates Indian Women Filmmakers at TIFF

Under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's flagship international markets platform, WAVES Bazaar, six Indian filmmakers leading women-centric projects represented the country at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, held last month. This initiative, led by Women in Film (WIF) India and supported by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), marked a significant milestone in showcasing the creativity and vision of Indian women filmmakers on a global stage. The filmmakers—Arshaly Jose, Deepa Bhatia, Katyayani Kumar, Madhumita Sundararaman, Paromita Dhar, and Pramati Anand—were selected from over 200 entries following a week-long nationwide call.

Ministry officials described this development as a defining moment for India’s film industry and creative community. "For the first time, six Indian filmmakers leading women-centric projects represented the country at one of the world’s most influential film forums. The delegation highlighted regional, rooted, and real stories from Kerala and Manipur to Maharashtra and Delhi, demonstrating that India’s creative diversity knows no boundaries," stated ministry officials. The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) is an event focused on establishing India as a key hub for the media and entertainment industry. The inaugural event took place in Mumbai in May. WAVES Bazaar is a dedicated platform for companies to showcase their products and services, explore collaborations, and establish new partnerships.

Supported by WAVES Bazaar’s expansive ecosystem, these filmmakers gained access to mentorship, international markets, and industry exposure once reserved for seasoned global creators. Over the past year, WAVES Bazaar has evolved into a crucial bridge between Indian content creators and international studios, facilitating co-productions, global distribution deals, and strategic collaborations across continents, officials noted. WIF India Founder and Academy Award-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor described the collaboration as "a dream realized." "Exposure is at the heart of all growth. Through WIF India and WAVES Bazaar, we are building pathways for women to take their stories to the world," she stated. "We are taking our initial steps, building this institution piece by piece, and now moving it forward." For the participants, the TIFF experience was transformative.

Kerala-based filmmaker Arshaly Jose shared, "Pitching to international producers and distributors showed me that my stories could transcend borders. For the first time, I felt I truly belonged." Similarly, Deepa Bhatia reflected, "It was the thoughtful details from mentorship to wellbeing that made this experience special. WIF and WAVES are clearly shaking up the industry." With cumulative deals exceeding Rs 800 crores across film, animation, and music, and structured programs like Co-Production Labs and Screenwriters’ Forums, WAVES Bazaar is redefining how India engages with the world creatively.




bottom of page