The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2026, to be held in Goa from 20th to 28th of this month, will feature a special showcase of 21 films from BRICS countries under the section ‘Films from BRICS’. The curated section, bringing stories of struggle, identity, history and social change from across the world to the big screen, explores themes such as democracy, freedom, colonialism, social inequality, displacement, family and belonging. Rooted in the histories and contemporary realities of their respective societies, the films offer audiences insights into diverse cultures and shared human experiences.
The selection includes films from Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and several other countries. India’s entry in the section is ‘Article 370’, directed by Aditya Dhar. Set against the backdrop of the 2016 Kashmir unrest, the film follows a mission to abrogate Article 370. It received three honours at the 72nd National Film Awards in the categories of Best Film, Best Actress and Best Music.
Among the other notable entries, Brazil’s ‘Amadeo and the Hypothetical New World’ explores the struggle against slavery, while Indonesia’s ‘The Sea Speaks His Name’ revisits the country’s 1998 pro-democracy movement through the story of a missing student activist and his family’s search for answers. South Africa’s ‘The Trek’ is set in the Kalahari Desert in the mid-19th century and highlights the harsh realities of the colonial era. Contemporary concerns also feature prominently in the selection. ‘Dreaming of Serenada’, a Uganda-UK documentary, explores climate change and its impact on communities through a father-daughter relationship. Ethiopia-US production ‘Faya Dayi’ examines the lives and aspirations of communities associated with khat cultivation and consumption.
Scheduled from 20th to 28th of this month across multiple venues in Goa, the 57th IFFI will showcase over 150 international films from 86 countries. The festival will bring together films across genres, countries and languages through its competitive and non-competitive sections, curated packages, retrospectives, tributes and thematic showcases, providing a platform for cross-cultural exchange and cinematic excellence.
