Lights, Camera, Action: Delhi to host first-ever International Film Festival
The national Capital is ready to steal the spotlight! Lights, Camera & Action… Delhi is buzzing with filmy whispers, starry dreams, and big global ambitions as it prepares for its very own international film festival. City is set to host the first-ever International Film Festival of its own, akin to prestigious Cannes and Toronto festivals.The excitement is already spilling onto social media, film circles, and coffee-table gossip alike as Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday unveiled the curtain-raiser for International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) 2026.
Scheduled from March 25-31, 2026, the CM described it as a historic opportunity to establish the national Capital as a global cultural and cinematic centre. The city-wide festival will be hosted at prominent venues across New Delhi, including Bharat Mandapam.
The event is expected to open new avenues in film tourism, talent development, AVGC, creative industries and employment. More than 125 Indian and international films will be screened during the festival. The programme will also feature gala premieres, master classes, industry dialogues, workshops and cultural performances.
Stating that the festival would mark a significant milestone for the capital, Rekha Gupta said it is not merely a film event, but a celebration of Delhi’s creative strength, cultural heritage and modern outlook. It will be a public festival ensuring participation from all sections of society, bringing world cinema closer to citizens. The platform will also provide local filmmakers and technicians with international exposure and opportunities for dialogue with national and global talent.
The festival’s key attractions will include grand gala premieres and star-studded special screenings, offering audiences a unique experience of cinematic brilliance and creative excellence.Special showcases dedicated to digital and emerging cinema will provide a platform for innovation and experimentation driven by new technologies. The high-octane CineXchange Film Market and Cineverse Expo will create fresh opportunities for networking, distribution and investment for professionals from across the film industry.
In addition, master classes by distinguished filmmakers and experts, along with industry panel discussions, will offer participants in-depth insights and practical understanding. Cultural evenings and live performances will further enrich the event, transforming it into a multi-dimensional celebration where art and entertainment converge.
Among the festival’s key features will be a strong emphasis on promoting film tourism, strengthening the city’s cultural identity and local economy. Young talent will be provided with opportunities to showcase their creative potential and engage directly with the industry.A single-window facilitation system for filmmakers will streamline and bring greater transparency to shooting and production-related processes. By ensuring access to world cinema in public spaces, the festival will introduce wider audiences to high-quality international films. In doing so, the event will serve as a dynamic bridge between art, culture and industry, while accelerating the growth of the creative economy.
The Chief Minister noted that in alignment with the Delhi Government’s Film Policy, initiatives such as single-window clearances, production support and industry facilitation are making Delhi an attractive filming destination. IFFD marks a decisive step towards positioning Delhi as India’s cinematic capital.
She expressed confidence that IFFD 2026 would provide fresh momentum to Delhi’s cultural landscape and secure the capital a distinguished place on the global cultural stage. Emphasising Delhi’s longstanding role as a city that shapes cultural discourse, she said the International Film Festival Delhi would be a truly public celebration belonging to the people of the city.
The event is being organised by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation. Conceived as a long-term cultural project. On the occasion, Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi is emerging as a creative capital at both the national and global levels. In this spirit, the city’s first international film festival is being organised.
He informed that distinguished filmmakers, actors, directors and technical experts from India and abroad will participate. The festival will not only showcase the diversity and creativity of Indian cinema globally but also serve as a significant step towards establishing Delhi as a vibrant film and cultural hub.
He further remarked that the event will provide young talent with an international platform, promote dialogue on new technologies and evolving cinematic practices, and further strengthen Delhi’s cultural identity. It will also energise tourism, employment and the creative industries.
