The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has announced a groundbreaking initiative: India’s inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) Film Festival and Hackathon. This pioneering event, a collaboration with LTIMindtree (LTIM) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), is scheduled to run from November 20 to 28 during the 56th edition of IFFI in the vibrant state of Goa.
This innovative venture aims to provide a dynamic platform for filmmakers, creators, technologists, and innovators. Through this festival, participants will be encouraged to explore and experiment with AI-driven storytelling tools, showcasing remarkable and creative applications that promise to redefine the future of cinema.
Shekhar Kapur, who serves as the Festival Director for IFFI and Jury Chair for the AI Film Festival, emphasized the transformative potential of this event. He stated, “Cinema has always reflected the power of human imagination. Today, AI gives us a new lens that expands our ability to dream, design, and express. The IFFI AI Film Festival will be a playground for that evolution.”
Dr. Sujay Sen, Executive Vice President & Global Head of Interactive Services at LTIMindtree, highlighted his organization’s vision for this collaboration. “At LTIMindtree, we believe the future of storytelling lies at the confluence of human creativity and AI,” he noted. “Through this partnership, we are proud to foster innovation and bring the transformative potential of AI to India’s creative economy.”
Adding to the sentiment, Shri Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of NFDC, reiterated IFFI’s commitment to progress. “As India’s leading platform for cinematic excellence, IFFI has always celebrated emerging voices and technologies,” he explained. “Our partnership with LTIMindtree and Shekhar Kapur enables us to expand this creative legacy into the realm of AI, promoting responsible, inclusive, and globally collaborative innovation.”
The festival’s agenda includes an exciting AI Film Showcase, where audiences can experience films across diverse genres—fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental—all created with the power of artificial intelligence. Additionally, a rigorous 48-hour Hackathon will invite developers and storytellers to conceptualize and build innovative AI-powered tools for cinematic creation.
Beyond the showcases and competitions, attendees can look forward to insightful workshops and masterclasses. These sessions will cover essential topics like AI in film production, the nuances of ethical storytelling in an AI era, and broader discussions on creative technology, fostering a deeper understanding of AI’s role in the film industry.