Overview
- India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting announced the appointment Friday, placing the Oscar‑nominated Lagaan director in charge of the 57th edition.
- Ashutosh Gowariker succeeds Shekhar Kapur, who led the festival across the 55th and 56th editions.
- Gowariker said the role gives him pride and responsibility, and he plans to work closely with the ministry and the Government of Goa.
- The festival is slated for November in Goa, with programming that typically spans competitions, retrospectives, masterclasses and the WAVES Film Bazaar run with the National Film Development Corporation.
- Founded in 1952, IFFI is one of Asia’s longest‑running film festivals, and Gowariker’s ties date back to attending in 1984 and serving as jury president for international cinema in 2024.