Delhi government sets the tone for a city-wide celebration of film, culture and film tourism, unveiling a global festival that positions the capital as a cinematic hub while fostering creativity, heritage visibility and international cultural exchange.

New Delhi witnessed a carefully orchestrated announcement on 25 February 2026 as the Government of Delhi, through the Delhi Tourism & Transportation Development Corporation Ltd. (DTTDC), unveiled its plans for a global film festival scheduled from 25–31 March. Hosted at the elegant Leela Palace in Chanakyapuri, the evening was both ceremonial and strategic — a declaration that the capital intends to step confidently into the global cinematic arena.

Government leaders, filmmakers, cultural curators, industry partners and media representatives gathered to preview the vision, programming and international collaborations that will define the International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD). The event was not merely a launch but an invitation — positioning cinema as both cultural expression and economic opportunity for the city.

Government vision for a cultural capital

In her presence as chief guest, Hon’ble Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta emphasised the city’s historic relationship with culture and its future as a cinematic destination. “Delhi has always shaped culture, not followed it. With International Film Festival Delhi, we are creating a public festival that belongs to the people of this city," says the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs Rekha Gupta. "This is not an event for a few insiders. It is a city-wide celebration of cinema that supports creativity, creates opportunity and places Delhi firmly on the global cultural map.”

Her statement framed the festival as inclusive and accessible, underlining the government’s intent to make cinema a public experience rather than an exclusive industry gathering.

Minister of Tourism, Art & Culture Shri Kapil Mishra echoed this expansive vision. “IFFD is a celebration of Delhi’s vibrant spirit and its people,” says the Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Delhi, Mr Kapil Mishra. “By transforming public spaces into dynamic arenas for cinema and cultural dialogue, we are bringing world-class creative experiences closer to every citizen. Through a unified Tourism Board, we aim to streamline processes, provide stronger institutional support to filmmakers and creative industries and attract greater national and international media attention to Delhi.”

Beyond screenings: A city-wide canvas

The evening revealed that IFFD will extend far beyond conventional screenings. Organisers shared plans for premieres, neighbourhood screenings, masterclasses, live performances and cultural activations across the city. These events will spotlight Delhi’s UNESCO sites, heritage monuments and living neighbourhoods, transforming the capital into a cinematic canvas.

Festival planners stressed that the initiative is designed to open doors for production teams, storytellers and local talent while nurturing long-term film tourism opportunities. The ambition is clear: to ensure that cinema becomes embedded in the city’s cultural and economic ecosystem.

The programming overview highlighted partnerships that will shape the March festival, previews of world and Indian premieres, talent platforms, industry roundtables and performances blending classical and contemporary forms — reinforcing the festival’s intention to reach audiences across social and geographic boundaries.

Building a lasting institution

For the DTTDC, the festival is envisioned as a sustained cultural institution rather than a one-off spectacle. “IFFD is not a one-week spectacle. We are building a cultural institution for Delhi that grows year after year," shares the MD & CEO of DTTDC, Shri Suneel Anchipaka. "We want to give citizens a festival they can truly participate in and take pride in. One that attracts visitors to join us in Delhi to partake in the celebrations”

Festival Director Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra underscored its role as a platform for emerging voices. “IFFD is a platform for the youth, to challenge themselves and be challenged, to be inspired and to inspire, to discover and be discovered. There are several inspiring stories waiting to be told and the International Film Festival Delhi is the platform to ignite a new flame for cinema. Through the festival we also seek to amplify Delhi’s stories, from its neighbourhoods to its stages, and to connect local talent with global audiences. I’m honoured to help build a festival that truly belongs to the city.”

Their remarks reflected a long-term vision — one that combines cultural celebration with talent development and global collaboration.

Voices from cinema

Actors present at the announcement added personal reflections on the city’s influence on storytelling.

Actor Divya Dutta said: “As a Delhi girl, these streets are part of me. I’ve played characters shaped by the city’s humour and grit, and I’m proud to welcome IFFD, a festival that brings those neighbourhood stories to a wider audience.”

Actor Nimrat Kaur said: “Delhi shaped me, from DPS Noida to Shri Ram College of Commerce and the city’s endless, messy journeys on U-specials, and it was there I found the stories I needed to tell. The Lunchbox proved that the most intimate story can be the most universal; cinema carries feeling across languages and borders. That’s exactly what IFFD stands for, a space where local voices find global audiences.”

Actor Arjun Kapoor said: “There’s something about Delhi, its energy, its diversity, its conversations, its myriad cultures. It carries centuries of history comfortably with its cool modern energy. IFFD taps into that composite facet of the city, bringing together artistes and storytellers from across the country under one roof. I see IFFD as a reminder that stories can start anywhere.”

A strategic cultural push

Organisers emphasised the festival’s dual purpose: to deliver a compelling cultural event while creating sustainable opportunities for film production and storytelling in the capital.

Sabbas Joseph, Co-founder of Wizcraft Entertainment Group, said: “What we launched today goes beyond a festival format; it establishes a global cultural property. At this scale, the platform creates meaningful opportunities for Indian and international storytellers to connect, collaborate and find audiences worldwide. The sheer largeness and ambition of the project signals that Delhi is stepping onto the world stage as a lasting hub for cinema and cultural exchange.”

Executed by Wizcraft Entertainment Group with KPMG as knowledge partner and owned by DTTDC, the festival signals Delhi’s strategic intent to become a preferred destination for filmmakers, production houses and cultural tourism.

If the evening at Chanakyapuri was any indication, the capital is ready to script a new cinematic chapter — one that belongs as much to its citizens as it does to the world. 

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