PANAJI
As part of its continued commitment to promoting regional cinema, the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) has announced the selection of five Goan films for special screenings at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), to be held from November 20 to 28.
These films, chosen from 17 submissions by Goan directors and producers, will feature in the annual Premier and Non-Premiere sections curated to highlight local talent in both Feature and Non-Feature categories.
The selections were made by a three-member Jury comprising noted filmmaker P Sheshadri (Chairman) and members Priya Krishnaswamy and Rajeev Bhatia.
In the Goan Director’s Cut, the films selected are: ‘Zero Bulb’ directed by Soham Prasad Bhende, ‘Halad’ directed by Sobita Kudtarkar and ‘My Dad Invented the Vadapav: Ashok Vaidya and Sons’ directed by Sainath Uskaikar.
Under the Goan Producer’s Cut, ‘Meraki, By The Sea’ produced by Dr Gwendolynn De Ornelas and ‘Ghar’ produced by Sahit Studios LLP will be screened.
In addition to the curated screenings, IFFI 2025 will host open-air film shows at Miramar Beach, Ravindra Bhavan, Fatorda, and Vagator Beach parking (Helipad). The IFFI Mile—from the ESG complex to Kala Academy—will feature stalls, cultural activities, and public engagement events throughout the festival.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be the IFFI Float Parade on November 20, replacing the traditional opening ceremony. The parade will begin at 3:30 pm from the Old GMC Building and proceed to Kala Academy, featuring Shigmo and Carnival floats.
To ease travel for delegates, ESG has arranged free transport including rickshaws, pool cars, and KTC electric buses operating from 8:30 am until the final movie screening. Three dedicated bus routes will be available: Miramar Circle – Inox Porvorim – Miramar (to & fro); Miramar Circle – Magic Moviez, Ponda – Miramar (to & fro) and Miramar–Ravindra Bhavan, Margao–Miramar (to & fro).
