International Film Festival Delhi 2026 Receives 2,187 Entries From Over 100 Countries

The International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) is poised to transform the capital into a global cinematic destination from March 25 to 31. The festival has received a massive response with 2,187 entries from over 100 countries, including a robust mix of 1,372 international and 815 Indian feature and non-feature films. Centred at the iconic Bharat Mandapam, the event will also feature screenings across various city multiplexes and public open-air venues, ensuring that high-quality cinema is accessible to a broad and diverse audience.

With a strategic vision to position Delhi as a major cultural hub, the festival will offer a curated programming mix of 40% Hindi cinema, 30% international films, and 30% regional Indian cinema. Beyond mainstream entertainment, the IFFD will highlight specialised categories including patriotic, spiritual, and children's cinema, bridging the gap between Bollywood stars and global filmmakers. By blending international trends with local narratives, the festival aims to celebrate the diversity of storytelling while fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts within the city.

As part of its wider celebration of cinema and the artists who have shaped it, the festival will also honour one of the most iconic figures in Indian film history. Legendary actor Sharmila Tagore will be felicitated at IFFD 2026 in recognition of her immense contribution to Indian cinema.

One of Indian cinema's most enduring icons, Sharmila Tagore, is set to be felicitated at the International Film Festival of Delhi (IFFD) 2026, in recognition of her immense contribution to Indian cinema over a career that has spanned decades. The felicitation will take place during the festival's run from 25 to 31 March 2026, hosted at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, a fitting stage to honour a figure whose influence on Indian film remains as relevant today as ever.

"Film festivals are vital spaces where cinema from across the world comes together in dialogue. I am delighted to be part of the International Film Festival of Delhi and deeply honoured by this recognition. I look forward to being at the festival and celebrating the diversity of stories and voices that make cinema so special," says Sharmila Tagore.

Across both Hindi and Bengali cinema, Tagore has built an extraordinary body of work, delivering performances that rank among the most memorable in the country's film history. Known for her elegance, remarkable range and commanding screen presence, she has collaborated with some of the most celebrated filmmakers India has produced, appearing in films that continue to shape cinematic conversations decades after their release.

Her recognition at IFFD 2026 goes beyond a tribute to artistic achievement; it is an acknowledgement of the lasting impression she has left on generations of filmmakers, actors and audiences alike.