Organizers of the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) have revealed the official lineup for its prestigious International Competition. Scheduled to take place in Goa from November 20 to November 28, the flagship section will showcase 15 feature-length titles selected from around the globe. The lineup presents a balance between international festival favorites and high-profile domestic cinema, features detailed across our movie coverage platform.
The competition includes three Indian features competing against twelve international titles. Among the domestic entries is Rishab Shetty’s "Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1," which follows the festival track of its predecessor that competed in the same section in 2023. Also representing India is "The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond," directed by debutant Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. Completing the local contingent is Gajendra Ahire’s "Paro – The Untold Story of Bride Slavery," an India-U.S. co-production produced by and starring Trupti Bhoir, focusing on the issue of human trafficking through forced marriage.
The international roster features prominent directors and major festival alumni. German filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff enters the main competition with "Visitation." Japanese novelist turned director Maha Harada brings her debut feature "In My Father’s Room," following its San Sebastián launch. Serbian filmmaker Miroslav Terzić presents "3 Weeks After," while Catalan director Meritxell Colell Aparicio contributes "Far From the Trees." Additional selections include Lorenzo Ferro and Lucas A. Vignale’s "The River Train," Suzanne Andrews Correa’s "The Huntress," Daniel Monzón’s "Pray for Us," Manuela Martelli’s "The Meltdown," Narghiza Dotieva’s "Skylark," Mees Peijnenburg’s "A Family," Tiago Guedes’ "Aquí," and Lê Bảo’s multi-nation co-production "Hearing."
Evaluating the entries is an international jury chaired by Indian director and producer Rai, known for backing acclaimed titles like "Tumbbad" and presenting Oscar submission "Newton." Joining Rai on the panel are Icelandic-based Argentine director Sol Berruezo Pichon-Riviere, award-winning Thai filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, Mexican-based Colombian sound designer María Alejandra Rojas, and Romanian director Bogdan Mureșanu, who previously won IFFI's Silver Peacock for best direction.
