The second day of the 56^th India International Film Festival (IFFI) 2025 in Goa yesterday witnessed a dynamic blend of global cinematic exchange, emerging talent showcases, high-level diplomatic engagement and vibrant cultural conversations.

A series of key events —including the inauguration of the Masterclass Series, launch of Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) 2025, the Ambassadors’ Roundtable, a dialogue on cinema, and a star-studded red carpet — highlighted IFFI’s growing stature as a premier international festival.

Federal Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting L. Murugan inaugurated the Masterclass Series at Kala Academy in Goa in the presence of senior officials and noted film personalities, according to an official statement.

For the first time, the inauguration was opened to the general public, reflecting IFFI’s commitment to wider accessibility. Participants from Australia, Japan, Germany, and Canada have joined the segment.

The fifth edition of Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) commenced with 125 emerging filmmakers participating in an intensive 48-hour filmmaking challenge.

Dr. Murugan encouraged participants to harness the high-pressure environment to refine their craft and highlighted initiatives such as the new Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in Mumbai, aimed at strengthening the country’s creative economy and supporting next-generation talent.

The red-carpet segment continued to be a major attraction, with renowned cinema personalities attending gala premieres of films at the festival. Designed to connect audiences with filmmakers, the segment showcased world, Asia and India films, adding glamour and vibrancy to the festival atmosphere.

IFFI hosted an Ambassadors’ Roundtable with diplomats from partner nations to explore enhanced cooperation in co-production, technology partnerships, and regulatory facilitation.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju highlighted India’s emergence as a global production hub, while Dr. Murugan underscored co-production as a key pillar of audio-visual collaboration.

Jaju noted the projected growth of India’s media and entertainment sector  is pegged at USD 31.6 billion in 2025, supported by advancements in VFX, animation and anti-piracy measures through inter-ministerial coordination.

A special In-Conversation session featuring Muzaffar Ali and Shaad Ali offered insights into Indian cinema across generations. The interaction, preceded by a felicitation by Ravi Kottarakara, presented a rich dialogue on memory, creativity, and evolving artistic practices.