The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) runs from Friday, 20 November to Saturday, 28 November 2026, in Goa, with events centred on Panaji. Goa has two airports, Dabolim (GOI) near Vasco da Gama and Manohar International Airport at Mopa (GOX) in the north, both roughly 30 to 35 km from Panaji by road.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
IFFI is India’s flagship international film festival, and it returns to Goa again in 2026 with a full schedule of screenings, masterclasses and industry events built around Panaji. Here is what the dates and logistics look like.
When does IFFI 2026 run?
The 57th edition of IFFI is scheduled for 20 to 28 November 2026 in Goa, with the opening ceremony on 20 November and the closing and awards ceremony on 28 November. Screenings, masterclasses, in-conversation sessions and the public-facing IFFI Mela run through the days in between across festival venues in and around Panaji.
What happens during the festival?
Alongside competitive and non-competitive film sections showing Indian and international cinema, IFFI typically runs masterclasses and in-conversation sessions with film industry figures, workshops aimed at younger or aspiring filmmakers through a talent hub, and an open cine-fair style mela for the general public. The exact programme and venue list are released closer to the festival, so check the official schedule once it is published for specific screening times.
How do you register as a delegate or media attendee?
IFFI generally offers a small number of delegate categories, broadly covering film industry professionals, general cine enthusiasts and students, each with its own registration process and the kind of access it grants to screenings and panels. Journalists and other media need a separate accreditation route through the Press Information Bureau, which decides accreditation based on factors like the outlet’s reach and its coverage of cinema. Registration and accreditation windows open well ahead of the festival and have had firm cut-off dates in past editions, so it is worth applying as soon as the current year’s window opens rather than waiting.
Specific fees, exact eligibility rules and category names can change between editions, so confirm the current details on the festival’s official site before you plan around them.
How do you fly into Goa for IFFI?
Goa has two airports. Dabolim Airport (GOI), the older of the two, sits near Vasco da Gama in the south of the state and is roughly 30 km from Panaji. Manohar International Airport at Mopa (GOX), the newer airport in the north, is roughly 35 km from Panaji by a different route. Both airports have domestic and some international connections, and which one is more convenient depends mainly on the route you are flying and the part of Goa you are staying in, since the two airports themselves are a longer drive apart from each other than either is from Panaji.
During IFFI, flights and accommodation around Panaji and North Goa tend to be in higher demand, so booking ahead is sensible if your dates are fixed around the festival.
What is Panaji like during the festival?
Panaji becomes noticeably busier through IFFI week, with festival banners, extra security around the main venues and a steady flow of delegates, media and the public moving between screenings. Traffic around the city centre and the riverside areas where several venues are typically located tends to build up around screening start times, so leaving extra time between events is a sensible habit rather than an afterthought.
Late November in Goa generally falls in the pleasant part of the dry season, with warm days and comfortably cooler evenings, which is also part of why the period draws leisure visitors to the state independent of the festival. That overlap is worth factoring into your accommodation search, since rooms in and around Panaji can be harder to find at short notice during this stretch.
The IFFI Mela, the festival’s public-facing fair, is typically set up at a dedicated ground and runs alongside the main screenings, giving visitors without a delegate pass a way to experience some of the festival atmosphere, food stalls and cultural stage programming without needing festival accreditation. Timings and the exact location for the mela are published closer to the event each year.
Common Questions
What are the exact 2026 IFFI dates?
20 to 28 November 2026, with the opening ceremony on 20 November and the closing and awards ceremony on 28 November.
Which Goa airport is closer to Panaji, Dabolim or Mopa?
Dabolim is generally cited as marginally closer to Panaji, at around 30 km, against roughly 35 km from Mopa, though actual drive time depends on traffic and the specific route.
Do I need special accreditation to attend IFFI as a journalist?
Yes, media delegates need separate accreditation through the Press Information Bureau, distinct from the general delegate registration categories open to the public.
Can students attend IFFI?
IFFI has historically offered a student delegate category as part of its registration options, usually with its own eligibility criteria. Check the current year’s registration page for exact terms.
Is IFFI always held in Goa?
In recent years it has consistently been held in Goa, with Panaji as the main hub for venues and events.
Should I book flights to Goa well ahead of IFFI?
Yes, late November is a popular travel period for Goa generally, and the festival adds further demand around Panaji and North Goa, so booking early helps with both fares and hotel availability.
Heading to Goa for IFFI? Search flights to Dabolim or Mopa on HappyFares, set a price alert if your dates are flexible, and ask Meera for a quick comparison before you book.
Festival dates, registration rules and airport details change. Verify current specifics with the official IFFI website, the Press Information Bureau, or the airport before you travel.
