Delhi to Transform into a Cinematic Wonderland: Government Announces the Grand Debut of International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) 2026

Delhi to Transform into a Cinematic Wonderland: Government Announces the Grand Debut of International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) 2026

New Delhi, 25 February, 2026: A new era of storytelling and spectacle is arriving in the heart of the nation. The Delhi Government is proud to unveil International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD), an inaugural city-wide extravaganza that ignites the capital from 25th to 31st March 2026. This is not just an event; it is a week-long celebration designed to be the most ambitious film festival Delhi has ever witnessed, a true cinematic takeover that pulses through every corner of the city.

Centred at the iconic Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, IFFD transcends the traditional boundaries of a film festival. It is a grand, citizen-facing celebration that brings the magic of the silver screen directly to the people. From central hubs to local neighbourhoods, the festival spreads its wings, ensuring that every resident of Delhi can experience the wonder of world-class cinema.

The festival is envisioned as a long-term cultural project to position Delhi as a global hub for cinematic exchange. Aligned with the Delhi Film Policy, IFFD drives film tourism, talent development and industry collaboration across the city, turning screenings into commercial, educational, and production opportunities for local filmmakers and the orange economy.

IFFD 2026 promises a scale and scope never seen before in the capital. The festival showcases a prestigious selection of over 125 curated Indian and international films, creating a dynamic showcase for global stars, visionary filmmakers, cinephiles and eager fans. Beyond the screenings, the city comes alive with a celebratory environment designed to enchant families, students and cinephiles alike.

“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,” says the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs Rekha 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.”

This landmark initiative is a cornerstone of the Delhi Government’s Film Policy, aiming to crown Delhi as the cinematic capital of India. While bridging the gap between talent and the public, IFFD is hosting masterclasses, industry dialogues, and workshops, featuring the very artists and technicians who have built their legendary careers right here in Delhi, alongside elite national and international guests.

Delhi is being positioned as a film-tourism destination, offering iconic locations, production support and a single-window facilitation approach that makes shooting, location scouting and events easier for producers and platforms.

The Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Delhi, Mr Kapil Mishra, said, “Delhi is set to host its first International Film Festival. This initiative is a result of the vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the commitment of the Delhi Government. The direction of any city is shaped by its leadership, and with a change in leadership, Delhi has witnessed a transformation in both its direction and development.

In its very first edition, the festival has received over 2000 film entries from more than 100 countries, reflecting its growing global recognition.

The festival will not remain confined to a single venue. While the main events will be held at world-class facilities, open screenings will also be organized across Delhi’s communities and neighborhoods to ensure wider public participation, especially among youth.

Alongside international cinema, the festival will showcase films from across India’s linguistic and cultural spectrum, including Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Haryanvi, North-Eastern, and South Indian cinema.

This is not just a one-time event, but a sustained initiative, with provisions already being made in the upcoming budget. The objective is to create a platform that promotes positivity, cultural diversity, and contributes to nation-building through cinema.”

The festival’s non-competitive, curated programme is designed for maximum impact, featuring:

➔    A Grand, Star-Studded Opening & Closing Ceremony

➔    Compelling showcase of Indian and International cinema

➔    Gala Premieres of blockbuster films

➔    Cutting-Edge Digital & Emerging Cinema Showcases

➔    A High-Octane CineXchange Film Market & Cineverse Expo

➔    Inspiring Masterclasses & Industry Panels

➔    Enchanting Cultural Evenings & Live Performances

Delhi stands at the crossroads of heritage and modern creativity. IFFD reflects that balance by bringing global cinema into public spaces and making culture accessible to citizens. This festival strengthens Delhi’s identity as a world-class capital that values art, expression and dialogue.

“IFFD is not a one-week spectacle. We are building a cultural institution for Delhi that grows year after year,” shares the MD & CEO of DTTDC, Mr Suneel Anchipaka. “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 to partake in the celebrations”

As Delhi prepares to take its place on the global cultural stage, IFFD 2026 stands ready to deliver a cinematic experience that redefines the city’s cultural landscape forever.

While M/s KPMG is the knowledge partner, the festival is owned and organised by the Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC), Government of NCT Delhi.

Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, Festival Director, said: “IFFD is a platform for the youth, to challenge themselves and be challenged, to be inspired and to inspire, to discover and be discovered. There are several inspiring stories waiting to be told and the International Film Festival Delhi is the platform to ignite a new flame for cinema. Through the festival we also seek to amplify Delhi’s stories, from its neighbourhoods to its stages, and to connect local talent with global audiences. I’m honoured to help build a festival that truly belongs to the city.”

Actor Divya Dutta said: “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 said: “Delhi shaped me, from DPS Noida to Shri Ram College of Commerce and the city’s endless, messy journeys on U-specials, and it was there I found the stories I needed to tell. 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. As someone who has lived on both sides of the camera, I’m proud to be part of this festival and to champion the young storytellers of Delhi: tell your story honestly, unapologetically, and the world will listen.”

Actor Arjun Kapoor said: “There’s something about Delhi, its energy, its diversity, its conversations, its myriad cultures. It carries centuries of history comfortably with its cool modern energy. IFFD taps into that composite facet of the city, bringing together artistes and storytellers from across the country under one roof. I see IFFD as a reminder that stories can start anywhere, and a city as multifaceted as this has plenty waiting to be told. In Delhi, something powerful is always about to begin. I’m excited to experience it with everyone.”

The organisers noted the festival’s dual purpose: to stage a compelling cultural event and create sustainable opportunities for film production and storytelling in the capital. The message was clear: this isn’t just a week of screenings; it’s a strategic push to make the city a preferred destination for filmmakers, production houses and cultural tourism.

The execution of this cinematic extravaganza is being led by Wizcraft Entertainment Group, known for its large-scale cultural and entertainment productions. Like the pageantry of the IIFA Awards, IFFI and GIMA, Wizcraft brings the sheer scale and “wow factor” required to make this first edition an unforgettable spectacle. While M/s KPMG is the knowledge partner, the festival is owned and organised by the Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC), Government of NCT Delhi.

About IFFD

International Film Festival Delhi is a government-led, city-wide film festival created to showcase Indian and international cinema and make film culture accessible to all Delhi residents. The festival is taking place across venues in New Delhi from 25^th to 31^st March 2026.