IFP Season 15 is all set to take over Mumbai’s Mehboob Studios on November 29 and 30, bringing with it a dynamic lineup of creators, filmmakers, performers and cultural innovators from across the country. The two-day festival will once again serve as a vibrant meeting ground for India’s creative community, featuring conversations, performances and exchanges that celebrate storytelling in all its forms.

According to a press release, this edition brings together some of the most compelling voices shaping India’s creative ecosystem today. Among the many sessions scheduled for the weekend, a special spotlight will be on five remarkable women — Shefali Shah, Richa Chadha, Ananya Panday, Shilpa Rao and Raja Kumari — whose work continues to influence cinema, music and cultural expression.

Shefali Shah, known for her raw and powerful performances in ‘Delhi Crime’, ‘Darlings’ and ‘Satya’, will headline a masterclass titled ‘Many Shades of Shefali Shah’. She will break down the craft behind five of her most complex characters and share how instinct, emotional truth and lived experiences shape her approach. Reflecting on her journey, she said that revisiting these roles is “a meaningful reminder of why I fell in love with storytelling,” adding that IFP offers a space where creators and audiences meet with genuine curiosity.

Grammy-nominated rapper and songwriter Raja Kumari will lead a deep dive into the making of ‘Kashi to Kailash’ in a session exploring identity, collaboration and cultural roots that influence her sound. Her conversation is expected to highlight how she blends global beats with Indian heritage to build a distinct artistic voice.

Actor Ananya Panday, one of the most closely watched young talents in the industry, will speak about finding her creative voice and navigating an entertainment landscape that is constantly evolving. Her session, ‘Owning the Plot’, will reflect on the choices and challenges that are shaping her career.

Richa Chadha, known for redefining the image of the modern heroine with layered and realistic characters, will discuss how representation in cinema continues to shift. Her conversation, ‘Redefining the Everyday Heroine’, will emphasise the importance of women who are neither idealised nor diminished, while unpacking how intuition and emotional intelligence inform her performances.

Celebrated vocalist Shilpa Rao will bring an intimate musical lens to the festival with a session titled ‘Singing from the Soul’. She will revisit her creative process, musical evolution and the emotional honesty that forms the backbone of her work.

Together, these sessions promise to be among the highlights of IFP Season 15, adding depth, power and originality to a weekend dedicated to creativity and artistic exploration.