Delhi To Host First International Film Festival From March 25; Over 125 Films To Be Screened

The International Film Festival Delhi 2026 runs from 25 to 31 March, presenting over 125 films across key venues. The event combines screenings, masterclasses, and industry markets to elevate Delhi as a global film hub, while emphasising learning, partnerships, and new media storytelling.

Delhi is preparing to host the first International Film Festival Delhi, which will unfold from 25 to 31 March 2026. Over seven days, more than 125 Indian and foreign films are planned for screening, positioning the national capital as a growing global meeting point for cinema and culture.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta unveiled the festival curtain-raiser at the Delhi Secretariat and described the event as a crucial cultural milestone for the city. According to the announcement, the festival aims to help Delhi emerge as a global cultural and film hub, rather than remain known only as a political centre.

International Film Festival Delhi schedule and screenings

The International Film Festival Delhi will take place across several major venues, including Bharat Mandapam and other prominent stages in the capital. Designed as a citywide government-backed initiative, the festival plans to connect general audiences with world cinema and strengthen a local film culture that reaches beyond traditional multiplex releases.

Across the festival week, organisers expect to showcase more than 125 titles from India and overseas. The line-up will feature premieres, star-led special screenings and appearances by noted artistes. Sessions where viewers can interact directly with filmmakers and cast members are also being planned as part of the programme calendar.

International Film Festival Delhi learning platforms and new media focus

Learning remains a key strand of the International Film Festival Delhi, with masterclasses, workshops and industry panel discussions scheduled alongside screenings. Experienced filmmakers and experts will examine both craft and business, helping young talent understand real-world challenges. A special showcase for digital and emerging cinema will highlight experiments using new storytelling tools and technologies.

Cultural performances will run parallel to these sessions, turning the festival into a broader arts forum. Through such activities, organisers intend to encourage conversations about changing viewing habits, streaming platforms and shifting audience tastes. The mix of screenings, talks and performances is planned to attract students, professionals and regular film lovers alike.

International Film Festival Delhi markets, policy push and single window plans

One of the main highlights of the International Film Festival Delhi will be the CineXchange Film Market and the Cineverse Expo. These platforms are designed for producers, distributors, sales agents and investors to meet, discuss deals and explore partnerships covering distribution, co-production and financing of future film projects.

Organisers state that the market section aligns with the Delhi government’s film policy. Focus areas include film tourism, talent development, industry collaborations and growth of the creative economy. A single window facilitation system for film shoots is also planned, so that permissions and production-related clearances within the capital become simpler for filmmakers.

This initiative is being mounted by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation. Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said that the event will give young talent an international stage and deepen conversations about the changing form of cinema. The table below lists key festival details for quick reference.

International Film Festival Delhi and the capital’s cinematic history

Delhi already shares a long history with international film festivals. The International Film Festival of India, launched in 1952, ran in the capital for many years before moving. Screenings then took place in large auditoriums and cultural centres, drawing diplomats, filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from several countries.

In 2004, the International Film Festival of India shifted permanently to Panaji in Goa, leaving Delhi without a major global film showcase. Two decades later, the new International Film Festival Delhi signals a renewed attempt to reclaim space on the world cinema map and test whether the capital can truly become a shared centre for art, culture and industry.