New Delhi: International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD), to be held from March 25 to 31, has received 2,187 entries from India and abroad. The event aims at bringing global cinema, Bollywood stars and regional films together while positioning the city as a major cultural and cinematic hub. The festival will be anchored at Bharat Mandapam, while additional screenings will be held at multiplexes and other locations across the city. Open-air projector screenings are also planned at select public locations to make cinema accessible to a wider audience.“The entries include 1,151 international non-feature films and 668 Indian non-feature films, along with 221 international feature films and 147 Indian feature films,” said an official. The submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee comprising film industry experts to shortlist the final set of movies. The entries came from over 100 countries, he added.According to officials, IFFD will feature around 30% international films, 40% Hindi cinema and 30% regional Indian films, ensuring a diverse cinematic mix. Specially curated sections are planned for patriotic, spiritual and children’s cinema. All screenings will be for free, though viewers will need to register in advance through online platforms. “The gala screenings will mark first-time screenings of standout films. They will be the flagship moments of the festival, bringing together creators and audiences in celebration of cinematic achievement,” said an official. The festival will also feature a series of high-profile events such as a red-carpet gala attended by top film personalities and an awards distribution ceremony recognising notable film personalities who have roots in the city. “At least three top Bollywood actors are expected to perform at the opening ceremony, while the closing ceremony will feature musical performances and special presentations. The names will be officially announced soon,” said an official.The awards may include the Champion of Cinema (Lifetime Achievement) award and National Film Personality of the Year, along with curated showcases of award-winning films. Officials said the event would also have a number of industry-focused platforms, such as masterclasses and workshops on filmmaking, VFX and sound design, celebrity talks and actor spotlights, script labs and pitching forums for emerging filmmakers. A Film Bazaar will facilitate co-produc-tion and distribution opportunities, while a film-tech expo will showcase innovations on AR, VR, gaming and OTT platforms. “The festival may feature programmes designed for families, students and young audiences, including children’s film screenings, anime workshops and youth filmmaking challenges, along with participation initiatives for schools,” said an official.
