Delhi government sets the stage for city-wide celebration of cinema, culture and film tourism

The Government of Delhi, through the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), hosted a high-profile evening at The Leela Palace New Delhi to formally announce the upcoming International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD), scheduled to run from March 25 to 31.

The event brought together senior government leaders, filmmakers, cultural curators, industry partners and members of the media to unveil the festival’s vision, programming highlights and international collaborations.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended as the chief guest and endorsed the initiative to position the capital as a global cinematic destination. Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra led the evening’s proceedings, which drew prominent figures from the film and entertainment sectors.

“Delhi has always shaped culture, not followed it. With International Film Festival Delhi, we are creating a public festival that belongs to the people of this city,” said Gupta. “This is not an event for a few insiders. It is a city-wide celebration of cinema that supports creativity, creates opportunity and places Delhi firmly on the global cultural map.”

A city-wide celebration of cinema

Part announcement and part showcase, the evening outlined a diverse slate of premieres, neighbourhood screenings, masterclasses, live performances and cultural activations. Organisers said the festival will highlight Delhi’s UNESCO sites, heritage monuments and vibrant neighbourhoods, offering filmmakers and audiences from around the world a window into the capital’s cultural fabric.

The festival is also designed to open doors for production houses, storytellers and local talent, while fostering long-term film tourism opportunities in the city.

“Delhi is set to host its first International Film Festival — a landmark initiative inspired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s vision,” said Mishra. “With 2,000+ entries from 100+ countries and screenings across the city, this will be an inclusive platform celebrating global and Indian cinema, and a sustained effort to promote cultural diversity and nation-building through film.”

Programming highlights

Key announcements from the evening included:

• An overview of programming and international partnerships shaping the March festival.

• A preview of world and Indian premieres to be staged at major venues, alongside community screenings across the city.

• Masterclasses, talent platforms and industry roundtables aimed at connecting local creators with global collaborators.

• Cultural performances blending classical and contemporary forms, underscoring the festival’s city-wide footprint.

“IFFD is not a one-week spectacle. We are building a cultural institution for Delhi that grows year after year,” said Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Managing Director and CEO of DTTDC. “We want to give citizens a festival they can truly participate in and take pride in — one that attracts visitors to join us in Delhi and partake in the celebrations.”

Voices from the film fraternity

Acclaimed filmmaker Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, who will serve as Festival Director, described IFFD as a platform for emerging storytellers. “IFFD is a space for the youth — to challenge themselves and be challenged, to be inspired and to inspire, to discover and be discovered. Through the festival, we seek to amplify Delhi’s stories and connect local talent with global audiences. I’m honoured to help build a festival that truly belongs to the city.”

Actor Divya Dutta called the initiative deeply personal. “As a Delhi girl, these streets are part of me. I’ve played characters shaped by the city’s humour and grit, and I’m proud to welcome IFFD — a festival that brings those neighbourhood stories to a wider audience.”

Actor Nimrat Kaur reflected on her formative years in the capital, referencing her journey from school and college to international acclaim. “The Lunchbox proved that the most intimate story can be the most universal; cinema carries feeling across languages and borders. That’s exactly what IFFD stands for — a space where local voices find global audiences,” she said.

Actor Arjun Kapoor highlighted Delhi’s unique character. “There’s something about Delhi — its energy, diversity and centuries of history carried alongside a cool modern vibe. IFFD taps into that composite spirit, bringing together artistes and storytellers from across the country under one roof.”

A strategic cultural push

Organisers stressed the festival’s dual purpose: staging a compelling cultural event while creating sustainable opportunities for film production and storytelling in the capital. The broader vision is to position Delhi as a preferred destination for filmmakers, production houses and cultural tourism.

Sabbas Joseph, Co-founder and Director of Wizcraft Entertainment Group, said the initiative goes beyond a traditional festival format. “What we launched today establishes a global cultural property. At this scale, it creates meaningful opportunities for Indian and international storytellers to connect, collaborate and find audiences worldwide.”

The festival is owned and organised by DTTDC under the Government of NCT Delhi. Wizcraft Entertainment Group will execute the event, bringing its experience from large-scale productions such as IIFA Awards and International Film Festival of India. M/s KPMG has been appointed as the knowledge partner.

About IFFD

International Film Festival Delhi is a government-led, city-wide film festival aimed at showcasing Indian and international cinema while making film culture accessible to all residents of the capital. The inaugural edition will take place across multiple venues in New Delhi from March 25 to 31, 2026.