4 minutes of readingPuneJanuary 15, 2026 1:01 PM IST
Pune is all set to transform into a celebration of stories, cultures and cinema with the return of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) with its 24th edition from January 15 to 22, 2026. One of the largest film festivals in Maharashtra, PIFF continues to act as a bridge between Indian audiences and global cinema, bringing award-winning films, independent filmmakers and meaningful conversations to the city.
This year’s theme is ‘Birth Centenary of the great producer, actor and director Guru Dutt’. As organized jointly by the Government of Maharashtra and the Pune Film Foundation, this year’s festival will run across 10 screens in Pune – six screens at PVR ICON, Pavilion Mall, three at E-Square on University Road and one at NFDC-NFAI campus on Law College Road. Around 140 films will be screened in different sections, making it a packed week for film lovers.
The theme of PIFF 2026 marks the birth centenary of legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt, celebrated as a producer, actor and director who shaped Indian cinema with classics like Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool. Several screenings and debates during the festival will honor his legacy, making this edition a tribute to the history of cinema and a showcase of contemporary storytelling.
Opening and closing movies.
He The festival will open with La Grazia de Italia.directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino, known for his visually rich and emotionally charged films. The closing film on January 22 will be Father Mother Sister Brother, a sober family drama by American independent film icon Jim Jarmusch, co-produced by the United States, Ireland and France.
The closing film on January 22 will be Father Mother Sister Brother, a sober family drama by American independent film icon Jim Jarmusch, co-produced by the United States, Ireland and France.
World Film Competition
PIFF received an overwhelming response this year and in the World Cinema Competition section with over 900 submissions from 103 countries. Of them, 14 films have been shortlisted for the final round. An international jury will judge the films and the winner will receive the Sant Tukaram Award for Excellence in International Cinema from the Government of Maharashtra, carrying a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.
The shortlisted films represent a wide geographical and thematic range, including Cyril Aris’ A Sad and Beautiful World, Laura Wandel’s Adam’s Sake, Cherien Dabis’ All That Remains of You, Max Walker-Silverman’s Rebuilding and Indian filmmaker Pradip Kubrah’s The Elysian Field, among others.
Marathi and regional cinema competition
Marathi cinema continues to be a major focus at the PIFF as seven films will compete in the Marathi Competition section, with the winning film receiving the Sant Tukaram Award for Best Marathi International Film along with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. The festival will also feature a special section titled ‘Marathi Cinema Today’, which will highlight contemporary regional films and emerging voices.
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In addition to the competition categories, the festival will showcase global cinema selections, offering audiences the opportunity to see critically acclaimed international films that rarely make it to commercial theaters. With nearly 140 films across all sections, viewers can explore everything from powerful dramas and documentaries to experimental storytelling.
Workshops and talks
PIFF also organizes workshops, conferences and interactive sessions with filmmakers and industry professionals. Highlights include the Vijay Tendulkar Memorial Lecture by writer B. Jeyamohan, sessions on European and Iranian cinema and ‘Voices of Tomorrow’ discussions with emerging Marathi filmmakers.
Passes for the festival are priced at Rs 800, while online registration has already begun on the official PIFF website. On-site registration is also available every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all festival venues.