Delhi: The Jagran Film Festival (JFF), the world’s largest traveling film festival, is set to begin its 12th edition with a grand opening in New Delhi. From December 5th to 8th, the Siri Fort Auditorium will play host to this renowned event, which is dedicated to celebrating cinematic excellence and fostering cultural diversity. The festival is a flagship initiative by the Jagran Prakashan Group, uniting diverse cultures through the universal language of cinema.
In its 12th season, JFF showcases an impressive selection of 292 films, handpicked from a staggering 4,787 submissions. Representing 78 languages from 111 countries, these films highlight the richness of global diversity. This year’s festival will travel across 18 cities, spanning 11 states and 100 days, ensuring that cinema reaches audiences from all corners of India. The festival will include key cities like 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.
In its new edition, the festival will feature 102 films from across Indian and international borders, with films in 34 languages, including short films, documentaries, and OTT content from 29 countries. Among the highlights are Kiran Rao’s Oscar entry Laapataa Ladies, Marathi film Gypsy by Shashi Chandrakant Khandare, and the documentary Ujjal Uttam: Artful Life of Uttam Bahurupi. Special screenings will include classics like Shyam Benegal’s Manthan, alongside exciting premieres, such as five world premieres, seven Asia premieres, and five Indian premieres.
The festival also promises a star-studded line-up, with celebrated personalities from Indian cinema, including Pankaj Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Bhumi Pednekar, Taapsee Pannu, Mukesh Chhabra, and others. Renowned filmmakers such as Anil Prakash Joshi, Onir, and Hari K Sudan will also be part of the event. The festival will host insightful sessions, including Rajnigandha Achiever Talks, with Pankaj Kapoor, and masterclasses focusing on the evolving “Grammar of Cinema” and the process of breaking into major films, led by Mukesh Chhabra.
Basant Rathore, Senior Vice President at Jagran Prakashan Limited, shared, “The Jagran Film Festival has cemented its place as a cherished platform for cine professionals, aspiring actors, and film lovers alike. Known for its mission to make world-class cinema accessible to all, JFF brings ‘Good Cinema for Everyone’ to major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, as well as to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India. We are excited to kick off the festival in Delhi this year, with 102 remarkable films in 34 languages and 29 countries. This festival represents our commitment to showcasing quality cinema while fostering important conversations about the art of storytelling.”
This season’s Jagran Film Festival promises to be an unforgettable experience, bringing together filmmakers, actors, and audiences for an exciting celebration of global cinema. With its impressive line-up and inspiring events, the festival is set to continue its tradition of making cinema accessible, promoting diversity, and celebrating the transformative power of storytelling.
