Delhi Becomes the Film Capital as the 12th Jagran Film Festival Begins

Film festivals have always played a pivotal role in celebrating cinematic excellence and fostering cultural diversity. Among them, the Jagran Film Festival stands out as a landmark initiative by the Jagran Prakashan Group, dedicated to uniting diverse cultures through the universal language of cinema. Now in its 12th edition, the world’s largest traveling film festival continues its tradition of celebrating Good Cinema for Everyone. Uniquely, JFF is inaugurated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, in the nation’s capital, New Delhi, at the Siri Fort Auditorium.

From an impressive pool of 4,787 submissions, 292 outstanding films, Feature, Shorts and documentaries were selected, representing 78 languages and showcasing the richness of diversity from 111 countries. The festival traverses 11 states over 100 days, highlighting its unparalleled reach and inclusivity. This season, the Jagran Film Festival is travelling to 18 cities, beginning with its grand opening in Delhi and moving through major locations such as Prayagraj, Varanasi, Raipur, Ranchi, Indore, Siliguri, Kanpur, Lucknow, Agra, Meerut, Gorakhpur, Patna, Ludhiana, Dehradun, Hissar, and Darbhanga, before concluding with a grand finale in Mumbai. This extensive itinerary ensures that cinema reaches audiences across diverse demographics, solidifying the festival’s legacy of making quality cinema accessible to all. The festival promises a grand cinematic experience in Delhi, graced by esteemed personalities such as Pankaj Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Bhumi Pednekar, Taapsee Pannu, Mukesh Chhabra, Bhuvan Bam, Rajpal Yadav, Rahul Rawail, Rajat Kapoor, Sudhir Mishra. Renowned directors including Padma Shri and Padmabhushan Anil Prakash Joshi, Aaditri Dipika, Onir, and Hari K Sudan will also lend their presence. This edition features a remarkable lineup of 102 films spanning Indian and international origins, covering short films, documentaries, and OTT content from 29 countries in 34 languages.

The festival also includes notable entries such as Kiran Rao’s official Oscar entry Laapataa Ladies and the Marathi film Gypsy by Shashi Chandrakant Khandare. Documentaries like Ujjal Uttam: Artful Life of Uttam Bahurupi and I Survived the Holocaust bring compelling narratives to the forefront, while short films such as Shashwatam and Amar Dies Today showcase emerging talents. Special screenings include classics like Shyam Benegal’s Manthan and initiatives promoting inclusivity. Marking another significant achievement, this edition will feature 17 premieres, including over five world premieres, seven Asia premieres, and five Indian premieres.

This remarkable event will unite an exceptional lineup of actors, directors, influencers, and writers to participate in a series of insightful talk shows. Rajnigandha Achiever Talks, featuring legendary actor Pankaj Kapur, whose Retrospective is being celebrated in this season of the festival, celebrated for his transformative performances that have defined Indian cinema. Another session will spotlight Manoj Bajpayee, renowned for his intense method of acting and acclaimed roles, including his success in The Family Man and his latest film Despatch in the Indian Showcase category. Another highlight would be a Master Class and chat session for a thought-provoking discussion on topics such as the evolving “Grammar of Cinema” in modern filmmaking led by Keval Arora, Mohit Tripathi, and Anasuya Vidya moderated by Samdish Bhatia, followed by “Cracking the Code to Being Cast in Big Films: The Next Breakout Face” will be a session led by Mukesh Chhabra, offering invaluable insights for aspiring cinema enthusiasts and young actors transitioning from theatre to the television industry. It will also feature compelling panel discussions, including a conversation with renowned filmmakers Rahul Rawail and Sudhir Mishra. Alongside celebrating Good Cinema for Everyone, these discussions will provide valuable insights and engaging conversation with the media fraternity and movie buffs alike.

Basant Rathore, Senior Vice President- Jagran Prakashan Limited, shares, “The Jagran Film Festival (JFF) has cemented its place as a cherished platform for movie buffs, cine professionals, fraternity, the theatre industry, and aspiring actors, writers, cinemagoers, celebrating the transformative power of cinema to inspire and connect audiences. Renowned as the world’s largest traveling film festival, JFF has become synonymous with its theme, Good Cinema for Everyone, taking world-class cinema from major cities like Delhi and Mumbai to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India. This season, we are excited to kick off the festival in Delhi from December 5th to 8th at Siri Fort Auditorium, featuring 102 remarkable films across 34 languages and 29 countries. As a flagship initiative of the Jagran Prakashan Group, this festival represents our unwavering commitment to making quality cinema accessible to all, while fostering meaningful conversations about the art and craft of storytelling.”

This 12th Season, we aim to build on the overwhelming response from past seasons and deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience that resonates with audiences across India.”

Get ready for the world’s largest travelling film festival! The Jagran Film Festival kicks off in Delhi from December 5th to 8th at the Siri Fort Auditorium.