The inaugural ceremony, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, set a confident tone with a strong global line-up and a cultural tribute marking 150 years of Vande Mataram. The week-long festival, running from March 25 to 31, features screenings, conversations, and industry engagements across New Delhi. A major highlight is the screening of Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa in its newly restored 4K version, supported by Ultra Media & Entertainment—its first-ever presentation at an international film festival.
The opening night drew a glittering turnout from the Indian film fraternity, with Arjun Kapoor, Nimrat Kaur, Vicky Kaushal, Sanya Malhotra, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Lauren Gottlieb, Anupam Kher, Sharmila Tagore, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Subhash Ghai, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Arvind Swamy, and Ajay Bijli among those walking the red carpet. The inaugural lamp was lit by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Ministers Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, alongside actors Hema Malini, Kangana Ranaut, and Sharmila Tagore.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Sharmila Tagore, Dharmendra, and Nandamuri Balakrishna, honouring their enduring contributions to Indian cinema. In her speech, Chief Minister Gupta highlighted the festival’s cultural significance: “Delhi is the heart of the country, a city that embraces everyone and carries both history and hope. With this film festival, we are not just hosting an event but shaping a new cultural identity for the capital. Cinema has the power to inspire, to connect, and to tell stories that become people’s dreams. This festival will be a platform for new artists, filmmakers and especially women to showcase their talent. We are committed to making Delhi a true creative capital, known for its energy, stories, and spirit.”
The evening also featured Miss Earth India 2022, Vanshika Parmar, an environmental advocate and student of Miranda House, University of Delhi. Speaking to this reporter at the event, she said: “ Cinema is being used as a powerful medium that is positioning Delhi not just as a political capital but rather a cultural and creative capital.
Day one stood out for its scale of participation, with delegates, students, and cinephiles joining industry leaders in large numbers. Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra noted: “IFFD was first envisioned during the budget discussions last year and has been realised under the leadership of the Chief Minister. We are committed to establishing Delhi not just as a political capital but as a cultural capital of India.”
Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra added: “The International Film Festival of Delhi is not just an event; it’s a platform, a space where we arrive with curiosity and leave with courage. Cinema doesn’t just entertain; it provokes, moves and awakens something within us.”
Read : IFFD 2026 to Celebrate Guru Dutt’s Birth Centenary with 4K ‘Pyaasa’ Screening
Suneel Anchipaka, MD & CEO, DTTDC, said, “We are not inaugurating just an event; we are declaring Delhi as the birthplace of storytelling. This festival is part of a larger cultural awakening, where cinema is not just entertainment but a powerful expression of our identities, values, and voices. As storytelling shapes how the world sees Bharat, we are building cultural sovereignty by enabling Indian stories across cinema and emerging creative industries to reach global audiences. Delhi is making a clear commitment to become a true hub for storytelling, where every frame carries purpose.”
Sanya Malhotra said, “IFFD is bringing together different industries and perspectives on one platform, and that’s what makes it exciting. I’m looking forward to being part of the festival and seeing that exchange unfold.”
Imtiaz Ali said, “I’m looking forward to having an honest and cinematic chat with my dear friend and much-respected film director Rakeysh OmPrakash Mehra on the 31st of March. I feel such conversations can open doors in the mind. Excited to be a part of IFFD.”
The festival’s opening film, Sirât by Oliver Laxe—a Cannes Jury Prize winner and Academy Award nominee—set an international tone, signalling IFFD’s ambition to connect Delhi audiences with acclaimed global cinema. With masterclasses, panel discussions, and cultural events scheduled throughout the week, IFFD 2026 has firmly positioned itself as a new cultural fixture on the city’s calendar.
