What to Expect from the Celebrating India Film Festival (CIFF 2025) in Delhi Ahead of India’s 78th Independence Day?

In the lead-up to India’s 78th Independence Day, Delhi is preparing to host what organisers describe as a “first-of-its-kind” cinematic celebration — the Celebrating India Film Festival (CIFF 2025). Scheduled for August 8–10 at the NCUI Auditorium, the event is being presented by Graphisads Ltd., in collaboration with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).

The Film Festival aims to shine a spotlight on India’s diverse cinematic heritage and contemporary voices, offering a grand, pan-Indian showcase unlike anything the capital has seen before. Organisers noted that while Delhi has hosted many noteworthy niche Film Festivals, CIFF is designed to be broader in scale and ambition, creating a national platform where storytellers — especially those rooted in regional and cultural narratives — can find both recognition and opportunities to learn new industry dynamics.

A key highlight this year will be the world premiere of Aham Bharatam – I Am India, the latest work from acclaimed Filmmaker Bharatbala, known for iconic musical tributes like Maa Tujhe Salaam and Vande Mataram. The Film Festival will also honour veteran actor-director Manoj Kumar with a special screening of his classic Kranti, paying tribute to his unparalleled contributions to patriotic cinema.

Across three days, CIFF will present 50 carefully curated Films exploring themes from environment, wildlife, and tourism to heritage, art, culture, and spirituality. The programming is designed to capture “India in its full spectrum”, balancing timeless classics with urgent, socially relevant stories.

Beyond film screenings, the Film Festival will offer a rich mix of conversations, Film Panel discussions, and masterclasses featuring celebrated names such as Grammy Award-winning composer Ricky Kej, Filmmaker R.S. Prasanna (Sitaare Zameen Par, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan), Screenwriter Divy Nidhi Sharma (Laapataa Ladies, Heeramandi), and producer Gaurav Dhingra (Stolen, Angry Indian Goddesses), who will lead a session on producing Indian cinema.

Adding to the cultural flavour, attendees can explore a vintage film poster exhibition from the BD Garg Collection and attend a special symposium, Preserving Culture Through Film, organised with IGNCA. Looking ahead, organisers see CIFF 2025 as the start of a long-term tradition — an annual cultural landmark that Delhi can claim with pride, and one that aspires to be recognised both nationally and internationally for its deep cultural roots.

CIFF 2025 runs from August 8 to 10 at NCUI Auditorium, Siri Institutional Area. For tickets and more details, check out the official website of the Film Festival.