PANAJI, 20 November 2025: The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened on a spectacular note in Panaji with a grand public parade—marking the first time in the festival’s history that its opening ceremony was held in an open, carnival-style format. Transforming DB Road into a lively cultural boulevard, the parade brought together film industry creativity, regional pride, and India’s vibrant folk traditions.
The colourful procession, which moved from the Old Goa Medical College building to the Kala Academy, featured more than two dozen floats, including 12 presented by the Goa government. Each tableau highlighted themes celebrating Indian cinema, regional culture, animation, and artistic diversity, offering spectators a dynamic visual experience.
A major highlight of the event was “Bharat Ek Soor”, a large-scale folk production curated by the Central Bureau of Communication under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Featuring over 100 folk artistes performing traditional dances from across India, the segment captured the unity and cultural richness of the nation. Adding to the excitement were appearances by popular animated characters including Chhota Bheem, Motu Patlu, and Bittu Bahanebaaz, which drew enthusiastic applause from children and adults alike.
The parade generated a festive, carnival-like atmosphere throughout the Panaji promenade, turning the usually exclusive opening ceremony into a people’s celebration. Thousands of residents, tourists, and festival delegates lined the streets to watch the floats, music troupes, dancers, and themed installations, making it one of the most memorable and inclusive IFFI openings to date.
Blending Goa’s trademark carnival spirit with the scale and glamour of Indian cinema, the grand parade set an energetic tone for the nine-day festival and reinforced IFFI’s growing reputation as a celebration that truly belongs to both cinephiles and the public.
