Over the past decade, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has evolved into an event that aims to engage a broad spectrum of visitors, not just cinephiles who register as delegates. This year was no different.

With an extravagant carnival parade marking its inauguration, a special fest featuring musical and cultural performances, a buzzing market ripe for co-production opportunities, insightful talks on cinema and industry trends, screening of around 240 films including some of the best films of the year and a grand closing ceremony – the recently concluded 56th edition of IFFI had all the elements of a successful festival. IFFI has come a long way since its first edition held in Mumbai in January 1952, where classics of world cinema such as Bicycle Thieves (1948) and Rome, Open City (1945) were screened along with Awara (1951) and Paatal Bhairavi (1951).

After being held irregularly until 1975, it became an annual event, switching locations between Delhi and other major Indian cities until 2004, when Goa was declared the “permanent home” of the festival. The coastal state – which will host IFFI for the 22nd consecutive year in 2025 – was seen as India’s answer to picturesque international festival destinations like Cannes.