Ashutosh Gowariker Named Director of 57th IFFI
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- Ashutosh Gowariker was appointed festival director of the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) by India's Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
- Ashutosh Gowariker succeeds Shekhar Kapur, who served a two‑year term as festival director for the 55th and 56th IFFI editions.
- Ashutosh Gowariker expressed pride and joy at the appointment, noting his long‑term association with IFFI since attending in 1984 and serving as jury president for international cinema in 2024.
- Ashutosh Gowariker is renowned for directing large‑scale historical and social films such as the Oscar‑nominated “Lagaan,” “Swades,” “Jodhaa Akbar,” and “Mohenjo Daro.”
- International Film Festival of India dates back to 1952, making it one of Asia’s longest‑running film festivals, and is jointly produced by the National Film Development Corporation and Goa’s state entertainment body.
- The 57th IFFI will be held in Goa in November and will feature competition screenings, retrospectives, masterclasses, and the WAVES Film Bazaar co‑production and sales marketplace.
Why it matters: The appointment gives Gowariker a high‑profile platform to shape the IFFI’s programming and strengthen its legacy, while the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Goa’s government gain a veteran filmmaker’s experience to attract international attention, industry participation, and reinforce the festival’s historic standing.
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