Madhur Bhandarkar Appointed Jury Chairman for IFFI 2026
Madhur Bhandarkar Takes the Helm at IFFI 2026
File image of Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar(Photo: IANS)
Mumbai, Oct 12: Renowned filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, celebrated for his works such as ‘Chandni Bar’, ‘Page 3’, ‘Fashion’, and ‘Babli Bouncer’, has been named the Chairman of the Jury for the Feature Film Section at the upcoming 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2026.
In his role as Jury Chairman, Bhandarkar will oversee the assessment of submissions and will recommend 25 exceptional feature films for presentation at the festival. This selection will include five films from mainstream cinema, as suggested by specific film trade organizations.
The festival features two primary segments: International Cinema and Indian Panorama. The Indian Panorama serves as a key section aimed at highlighting the finest contemporary Indian films and fostering excellence in filmmaking.
A formal announcement was made by Ashutosh Gowariker, the Festival Director for IFFI 2026. Organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India, the International Film Festival of India has been a platform for global cinema since its establishment in 1952.
The jury will also recommend three films for the main competition, two for the Best Debut Film of a Director category, and three for the ICFT UNESCO-Gandhi Medal in the international competition. Additionally, they will assess entries for the Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film Award, selecting five films and determining the winner.
The initial jury screening of eligible feature film submissions began online on September 29 and will run until October 16, 2026. Following this, the central panel jury will screen 60 shortlisted films at the NFDC Auditorium in Mumbai from October 18 to November 1, 2026.
The 57th IFFI is scheduled to take place from November 20 to November 28, 2026, in Goa.