IFFD 2026 - A Festival of Dialogue, Discovery and Global Exchange: With Oliver Laxe’s Sirât opening and Singapore’s Amoeba closing, IFFD 2026 launches as a global cinematic platform, spotlighting cross-cultural dialogue, independent voices, and WIFF Mumbai’s meaningful participation in shaping film discourse.

A Vision Rooted in Cultural Dialogue

“Cinema is one of the most powerful cultural bridges between nations. As Artistic Director, my vision for IFFD is to create a space where global stories meet Indian audiences with curiosity, openness and dialogue. Delhi has always been a city of ideas and cultures, and this festival aims to reflect that spirit through a thoughtfully curated programme,” said Vani Tripathi Tikoo, Chairperson, IFFD 2026.

It is this vision that defines the inaugural International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD), scheduled from 25 to 31 March 2026, not merely as a cinematic showcase but as a cultural convergence. With over 130+ screenings from 47 countries, selected from more than 2,000 submissions across 101 nations, the festival positions itself as an ambitious new node in the global film festival circuit.

Hosted at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, alongside screenings at PVR+INOX, the festival transforms the capital into a city-wide cinematic experience—spanning auditoriums, outdoor venues, and neighbourhood screenings that extend beyond traditional festival spaces.

Opening with Urgency: Sirât

Opening the festival is Academy Awards nominee Sirât, directed by Oliver Laxe, a film that has already garnered the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival 2025.

Set against the stark terrains of southern Morocco, the film follows a father and son navigating the rave circuit in search of a missing daughter—an emotional and physical journey that transforms into something far more existential.

“Film has a way of opening the world without asking permission,” said film director Oliver Laxe. “Bringing Sirât to Delhi for opening night feels like handing the audience a small, dangerous map of deserts, of music, of loss, and saying: follow it. I’m eager to meet the people who will watch this film here.”

Opening with an Oscar-recognised film establishes IFFD’s immediate global intent—placing international storytelling at the heart of its inaugural identity.

Closing with Rebellion: Amoeba

The festival will close with Amoeba, a striking debut by Singaporean filmmaker Tan Siyou. The film explores the lives of four teenage girls in contemporary Singapore who form a secret gang—what begins as playful rebellion gradually unfolds into a deeper interrogation of identity, loyalty, and societal conformity.

Together, Sirât and Amoeba frame the festival’s narrative arc—from outward journeys across landscapes to inward explorations of identity and belonging.

A Platform for India and the World

“We are thrilled to welcome two powerful films that speak two different kinds of journeys, inward and outward,” said Mr. Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, Festival Director. “IFFD at Bharat Mandapam will give viewers an intimate, world-class cinema experience and showcase Delhi as a vital cultural destination.”

Beyond screenings, IFFD 2026 is designed as a comprehensive cultural ecosystem—featuring masterclasses, industry panels, the CineXchange film market, and the Cineverse Expo. These initiatives aim to foster collaboration between filmmakers, producers, and platforms, creating pathways for stories to travel across borders.

“IFFD is an important step towards strengthening Delhi’s position as a global cultural capital. Cinema has the unique ability to bring together diverse voices and perspectives, and through this festival we hope to create a platform where audiences can experience the richness of world cinema while celebrating India’s own storytelling traditions,” said Shri Kapil Mishra, Tourism Minister of Delhi.

Cross-Border Collaborations and Global Presence

In a gesture of meaningful international partnership, IFFD 2026 spotlights the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) as its International Partner. This collaboration is further enriched by the presence of global luminaries such as Spain’s Enrique Arce (Money Heist) and acclaimed Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen, reinforcing the festival’s emphasis on cross-cultural dialogue and exchange.

Independent Voices at the Forefront

Adding depth to this global framework is the participation of WIFF Mumbai through its WIFF Select initiative, bringing independent Indian cinema into dialogue with international works.

The presence of WIFF Mumbai stresses the festival’s commitment to amplifying grassroots storytelling and nurturing emerging voices. Through curated screenings and a significant panel discussion featuring leading industry practitioners, WIFF contributes to shaping conversations around independent filmmaking, authorship, and the evolving landscape of cinema in India.

A City Becomes the Festival

IFFD 2026 is not confined to venues—it expands into the city itself. With satellite screenings, public engagements, and community outreach, the festival invites Delhi’s audiences to participate in cinema not just as spectators, but as active cultural participants.

In its very first edition, IFFD emerges not only as a showcase of films but as a living, breathing platform for ideas—where cinema becomes the language through which cultures meet, question, and evolve.

And at its core lies a simple but powerful belief: that stories, when shared across borders, have the ability to reshape how we see the world—and each other. 

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