New Delhi Film Festival to be held in February, Winners to be chosen from among 807 entries
New Delhi, Nov 18 BVI) The 9th New Delhi Film Festival (NDFF), organized under the flagship of Jaipur International Film Festival Trust, has announced its official list of nominated films for its 2026 edition, scheduled to take place from February 13–15.
This year, the festival received an overwhelming 807 submissions from 65 countries, out of which 149 films and 12 screenplays from 36 countries have been officially nominated in competition categories, said an official press statement.
Categories & Numbers
- Feature Fiction: 36
- Documentary Feature: 7
- Animation Feature: 3
- Short Fiction: 58
- Short Documentary: 27
- Short Animation: 15
- Ad Film: 1
- Best Photograph: 2
- Student Films: 4
- Screenplays: 12
Feature films by celebrated filmmakers are a special highlight.
This year’s Feature Fiction and Feature Documentary categories include several films crafted by renowned directors, acclaimed writers, and notable international and Indian talents. These feature films represent a diverse range of cinematic voices—award-winning filmmakers, festival favourites, and rising stars.
Some of the standout feature selections include:
- Eugene O’Neill’s – The First Man (UK/USA)
- From That Small Island (Ireland)
- Sobo Ki Nakchadi (India)
- Berehezade (Mexico)
- Taap, Chewing Gum, Kaara… A Custom, Drusht, Rudram, The Mermaid, Mr. Manickam (India)
- Internationally praised documentaries such as Our Life Is Here (UK/Marshall Islands/USA), Liz Lira: La Reina de Bolivia (USA), Where the Forest Roars (USA), The Time Of The Sun (Paraguay), among others.
Additionally, a number of high-impact documentary features and animation features by distinguished storytellers form an essential pillar of the 2026 lineup, it said.
Hanu Roj, Founder Director and Organizer of Jaipur International Film Festival – Trust, expressed pride over the ever-growing global participation:
“NDFF 2026 reflects our vision of celebrating world cinema with integrity, diversity, and cultural depth. The extraordinary response from filmmakers worldwide shows how New Delhi has become a true centre for global cinematic dialogue. We are honoured to host films by outstanding directors, writers, and performers whose work inspires and elevates world cinema.”
He added: “Our mission is to provide a platform that not only honours exceptional filmmaking but also strengthens India’s position as a cultural and creative hub. This year’s nominated films bring remarkable artistic value, and we look forward to sharing them with audiences and industry leaders.”
As per the festival tradition, only the top award-winning films will be screened, following the selection criteria upheld in previous years, the statement said.
The complete screening schedule will be available on the official website around 8 February 2026.
The New Delhi Film Festival – NDFF is part of the Global Cine Confluence initiative, celebrating cinema, culture, creativity, and international collaboration. The festival also hosts the International Co-Production Meet, promoting industry growth, economic development, and tourism. (BVI)
