The Jagran Film Festival (JFF), the world’s largest traveling film festival, is set to begin its 12th edition in Delhi from December 5th to 8th at the Siri Fort Auditorium. Organized by the Jagran Prakashan Group, this landmark initiative continues its mission of promoting Good Cinema for Everyone by uniting diverse cultures through the universal language of cinema.

The 12th JFF will feature 292 films selected from 4,787 submissions, representing 78 languages from 111 countries. Spanning 18 cities across 11 states, the festival ensures that cinema reaches audiences of all demographics, from urban centers to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, with a finale in Mumbai, the news network said in a press release.

This season’s lineup includes 102 films, covering feature films, documentaries, and short films in 34 languages and from 29 countries. Notable entries include Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’, the Marathi film Gypsy by Shashi Chandrakant Khandare, and compelling documentaries like ‘Ujjal Uttam: Artful Life of Uttam Bahurupi’.

The Delhi chapter will host an impressive lineup of personalities, including actors Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Bajpayee, Bhumi Pednekar, Taapsee Pannu, and creators such as Mukesh Chhabra and Onir. Renowned directors like Shyam Benegal will also feature, with a special screening of his classic film Manthan.

Highlights of the festival include:
Retrospective on Pankaj Kapur, celebrating his transformative performances.
Rajnigandha Achiever Talks featuring industry legends like Kapur and Manoj Bajpayee.
Masterclasses on topics like the evolving ‘Grammar of Cinema’ and insights into casting, led by experts such as Mukesh Chhabra and Keval Arora.
Premieres, including five world premieres, seven Asia premieres, and five Indian premieres.

The festival emphasizes inclusivity with its extensive reach and diverse programming, aiming to foster meaningful dialogues about cinema’s art and craft. Esteemed filmmakers like Rahul Rawail and Sudhir Mishra will participate in panel discussions, while the media fraternity and audiences engage in insightful conversations.

Basant Rathore, Senior Vice President of Jagran Prakashan Limited, said, “The Jagran Film Festival (JFF) has cemented its place as a cherished platform for movie buffs, cine professionals, fraternity, the theatre industry, and aspiring actors, writers, cinemagoers, celebrating the transformative power of cinema to inspire and connect audiences. Renowned as the world’s largest traveling film festival, JFF has become synonymous with its theme, Good Cinema for Everyone. It takes world-class cinema from major cities like Delhi and Mumbai to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India. This season, we are excited to kick off the festival in Delhi from December 5th to 8th at Siri Fort Auditorium, featuring 102 remarkable films across 34 languages and 29 countries. As a flagship initiative of the Jagran Prakashan Group, this festival represents our unwavering commitment to making quality cinema accessible to all, while fostering meaningful conversations about the art and craft of storytelling.”

With its unparalleled reach and commitment to making quality cinema accessible, the Jagran Film Festival continues to inspire and connect audiences across India.