Internet alams IFFI 2025 for all-male jury in Indian Panorama Section
Goa – The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has sparked online outrage after revealing an all-male jury for its Indian Panorama section. The 56th edition of IFFI will take place in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2025.
IFFI shared the jury announcement on Instagram, introducing actor and filmmaker Raja Bundela as the chairman. The other jury members include Krishna Hebbale, Kamlesh K Mishra, Malay Ray, Subhash Sehgal, Jadumoni Dutta, Aroon Baksi, Asim Sinha, Ashok Sharan, Sukumar Jatania, BS Basavaraju, Amaresh Chakrabarti, and Napoleon Thanga.
The caption described the team as “visionary storytellers and cinematic experts” who will evaluate feature films for the Indian Panorama category. The post also featured hashtags such as #IFFI56, #IFFIGoa, and #IndianPanorama.
However, the announcement quickly drew backlash for excluding women. Many users accused the organisers of gender bias. One comment read, “Did you not find any women in all of India?” Another user wrote, “Women filmmakers are breaking barriers everywhere. Yet, you chose a ‘Manel’ — an all-male panel.” Others called the move “glaring discrimination” and urged IFFI to “do better.”
Despite the criticism, organisers have not issued a statement in response to the outrage.
Meanwhile, IFFI 2025 promises an extensive lineup of films and events. The festival will screen over 240 films from 81 countries, including 13 world premieres, four international premieres, and 46 Asian premieres. Officials said they received a record 2,314 film submissions from 127 nations.
Brazilian director Gabriel Mascaro’s The Blue Trail will open the festival. Japan will serve as the Country of Focus, showcasing a curated selection of Japanese cinema.
In the Indian Panorama section, Amaran (Tamil), directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, will open the feature film category, while Kakori will lead the non-feature lineup. IFFI will also pay tribute to Indian legends such as Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, Bhupen Hazarika, and Salil Chowdhury by screening their iconic works.
Several acclaimed figures from Indian and global cinema will conduct masterclasses, including Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Aamir Khan, Anupam Kher, Ravi Varman, Bobby Deol, Suhasini Maniratnam, Kushboo Sundar, Pete Draper, Sreekar Prasad, and Christopher Charles Corbould.
The festival will feature award-winning international films like It Was Just an Accident (Palme d’Or, Cannes), Father Mother Sister Brother (Golden Lion, Venice), and Dreams (sex Love) (Golden Bear, Berlin).
IFFI 2025 will close with a grand ceremony honouring superstar Rajinikanth for his 50-year journey in Indian cinema.
As preparations continue in Goa, the gender controversy has cast a shadow over India’s biggest film festival, raising questions about inclusivity in one of the country’s most celebrated cinematic platforms.
