Rajinikanth to receive grand honour at IFFI 2025 closing ceremony as festival unveils biggest lineup yet

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is gearing up for a landmark edition as it returns to Goa from November 20 to 28, 2025. IFFI 2025 will also host an impressive lineup of masterclasses and in-conversations featuring top industry talents such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Anupam Kher, Christopher Charles Corbould, Aamir Khan, Ravi Varman, Kushboo Sundar, Bobby Deol, Suhasini Maniratnam, Pete Draper, and Sreekar Prasad. Adding to the celebrations, cinema icon Rajinikanth will be felicitated during the closing ceremony.

 

Rajinikanth to receive grand honour at IFFI 2025 closing ceremony as festival unveils biggest lineup yet

 

The Tamil superstar marks 50 years of his illustrious cinematic journey — a fitting tribute at one of India’s most prestigious film festivals. Apart from that, this year’s festival will showcase an impressive slate of more than 240 films representing 81 countries, including 13 world premieres, 4 international premieres, and 46 Asian premieres. IFFI has registered a record-breaking 2,314 film submissions from 127 countries, further cementing its position as a major global cinema platform. In the Indian Panorama section, Rajkumar Periasamy’s Amaran (Tamil) will open the feature film category, while Kakori has been selected as the opening film for the non-feature segment.

 

Information and Broadcasting Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the festival’s evolving vision, stating that IFFI 2025 aims to foster inclusivity, diversity, and innovation. He emphasized that the festival is committed to elevating Indian regional cinema while creating opportunities for new-age filmmakers through initiatives focused on digital storytelling and emerging talent.

 

This year’s Opening Film is Brazilian filmmaker Gabriel Mascaro’s The Blue Trail, a sci-fi fantasy drama that chronicles the empowering journey of a 75-year-old woman navigating the Amazon. The film recently won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlinale 2025, making it one of the most anticipated titles at IFFI.

 

Japan has been announced as the Country of Focus for 2025, with a curated showcase celebrating the nation’s cinematic legacy and contemporary storytelling. The festival will also mark the centenary celebrations of Indian legends Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, Bhupen Hazarika, and Salil Chowdhury through special screenings of their most iconic films.

 

The Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) initiative continues to expand, with the number of selected participants rising from 75 to 124. The programme now spans 13 filmmaking disciplines, including three newly introduced crafts, and features a 48-hour challenge in collaboration with ShortsTV.

 

The global appeal of this edition is further heightened by the inclusion of acclaimed titles from Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, Locarno, Busan, TIFF and IFFR. Notable films include It Was Just An Accident (Palme d’Or), Father Mother Sister Brother (Golden Lion), Dreams (sex Love) (Golden Bear), Sirât (Grand Jury Prize), and No Other Choice (TIFF People’s Choice Award), among several others.

 

Also Read: Superstar Rajinikanth flies economy, greets fans mid-flight on his way to Goa

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