Upcoming film festivals in India that you just can’t afford to miss
From Delhi and Jaipur, to Noida, and Guwahati, the first half of 2025 is packed with festivals to take the avid cinephile through the magical world of movies.
India, one of the world's leading film-producing nations with the highest number of releases each year, continues to be a vibrant hub of cinema, captivating audiences both at home and abroad. Every year, the country hosts a dynamic array of film festivals that celebrate cinematic artistry and creativity from across the globe. In 2025, the calendar is once again packed with prestigious festivals across Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Guwahati, offering a spectacular showcase of films, alongside workshops and interactive sessions that highlight the immense talent on display.
Whether you're a cinephiles, a cultural enthusiast, or a director in the making, these are some of the best Indian film festivals to keep an eye out for in 2025.
12th Delhi International Film Festival 2025
Celebrating the best of Indian cinema, this festival spotlights all the outstanding films and exceptional talent from the previous year. By uniting regional cinema and Bollywood on one single platform, it showcases India’s rich cultural diversity and its tradition of artistic and technical brilliance in filmmaking.
This year, the festival will honour legendary Sholay director Ramesh Sippy with the Lifetime Achievement Award and pay a heartfelt tribute to the late Irrfan Khan. Piyush Mishra will also receive a special recognition. Expanding its global outlook, the festival will not only spotlight films from Northeast India but also present selections from Saudi Arabia and Africa, emphasising its inclusivity and worldwide appeal.
Dates: January 4-10
Click here for more details
Jaipur International Film Festival
One of the world’s fastest-growing film festivals, this festival takes place every January in Jaipur, India. Since its inception in 2009, JIFF has become a prominent platform for celebrating global cinema. The festival’s mission is to promote emerging filmmakers, foster cultural exchange, and encourage collaboration between India and the rest of the world.
Unlike many festivals that cater to exclusive audiences or focus on commercially successful filmmakers, JIFF bridges the gap between passionate moviegoers and serious filmmakers. It provides an inclusive space where stories from across the globe are shared, ideas are exchanged, and the art of filmmaking is celebrated—building global connections and promoting cultural understanding through cinema.
Dates: January 17-21
Click here for more details
Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival
Rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra's Marathwada region, the Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF), formerly known as the Aurangabad International Film Festival, celebrates exceptional films, both Indian and international. Held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (previously Aurangabad), the festival features both recent and classic cinema, offering a platform for filmmakers, technicians, artists, and cinephiles to delve into the artistic and technical aspects of filmmaking.
AIFF aims to establish Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and the Marathwada region as a hub for film production and cultural exchange in Maharashtra. Featuring diverse sections such as World Cinema, Asian Best, Indian Competition, National Award Winners, and Retrospectives, the festival offers an enriching cinematic experience. It also honours emerging talent with the prestigious FIPRESCI-India Jury Prize for first- or second-time directors in select categories.
Beyond screenings, AIFF hosts Special Screenings, seminars, masterclasses, and a poster exhibition, creating an immersive environment for filmmakers and audiences alike. The festival is dedicated to promoting filmmaking, nurturing local talent, and celebrating the region’s vibrant cultural heritage.
Dates: January 15-19
Click here for more details
Guwahati Asian Film Festival
The inaugural Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF), scheduled for February 2025, is now accepting submissions from Asian filmmakers and non-Asian creators with works centred on Asian culture. The festival will open with In the Arms of the Tree, Babak Khajehpasha’s Oscar-nominated Iranian film, and promises to be a landmark event, showcasing films from countries such as Turkey, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, and China. GAFF 2025 will also celebrate the diversity of Indian cinema through its Indian Showcase Section and spotlight emerging talent from the Northeast in its North East India Competition Section. In addition to film screenings, the festival will feature panel discussions and networking events for filmmakers and enthusiasts.
Dates: February 7-9
Click here for more details
Aravali International Film Festival
The Aravali International Film Festival, inspired by India’s rich cultural diversity, celebrates films from around the world. Named after the renowned Aravali mountain range, the festival seeks to spotlight this cultural heritage. A relatively young event, its first and second editions were held in Alwar and Delhi in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The festival showcases cinema of all genres, lengths, and budgets, including music videos and pilots for TV and web series.
What sets the festival apart is its diverse jury, comprising experts from across the globe who evaluate and rank the submissions, fostering a competitive platform for filmmakers. Additionally, the festival offers enriching experiences such as workshops and masterclasses conducted by industry veterans and participating filmmakers.
Dates: April 5-6
Click here for more details
Lead image: Pexels
Also read: 6 spectacular film festivals, other than Cannes, that you shouldn’t miss
Also read:
