EntertainmentPosted at: Nov 14 2026 7:33PM


IFFI 2026 to showcase 21 BRICS films exploring democracy, freedom, identity and global concerns

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) Exploring themes ranging from democracy, freedom and historical struggles to identity, displacement and social inequality, the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) set to kick off in Goa on November 20, will present a special showcase of 21 films from BRICS countries, offering audiences a glimpse into diverse societies and their shared contemporary concerns.
Titled 'Films from BRICS', the curated section brings together cinematic narratives from different countries, languages and genres, drawing on historical events, social realities and personal experiences to examine questions that transcend national boundaries.
Several films revisit defining moments of political and social transformation, including pro-democracy movements, resistance to colonial rule and the struggle against slavery. Brazil's 'Amadeo and the Hypothetical New World' imagines the story of an African inventor in 1830s Brazil whose invention becomes instrumental in the fight to free enslaved people.
Indonesia's 'The Sea Speaks His Name' centres on the disappearance of a student activist during the country's 1998 pro-democracy movement and his family's search for answers. South Africa's 'The Trek', meanwhile, takes viewers across the Kalahari Desert in the mid-19th century, confronting the harsh realities and brutality of the colonial frontier.
The selection also turns its attention to contemporary challenges, including climate change, migration and economic vulnerabilities. The Uganda-UK documentary 'Dreaming of Serenada' explores the impact of climate change and flooding on a rainforest landscape through the relationship between a father and his daughter.
Ethiopia-US production 'Faya Dayi' examines communities associated with khat cultivation and consumption, highlighting their livelihoods, social circumstances and the aspirations of younger generations. Iran's 'Poultry Farm' follows an undocumented Iraqi child whose search for a missing friend places his own life in danger.
Questions of family, identity, belonging and individual choices form another significant strand of the showcase. Saudi Arabia's 'Hijra' follows a young girl, her grandmother and her missing sister on a journey that brings buried family secrets and generational differences to the surface.
China's 'Embers' explores grief and mortality through an unusual mix-up involving cremated ashes, bringing two women face to face with loss. 'The Condor Daughter', a Bolivia-Peru production, portrays a young woman from an indigenous Andean community struggling to reconcile inherited musical traditions with her ambition to become a performer.
Similarly, the Nigeria-UK production 'Lady' follows a young taxi driver in Lagos whose encounter with a group of sex workers sets her on a journey of solidarity and self-discovery.
India's entry in the section, 'Article 370', directed by Aditya Dhar, is set against the backdrop of the 2016 unrest in Kashmir and follows a mission to abrogate Article 370. The film received three honours at the 72nd National Film Awards in the categories of Best Film, Best Actress and Best Music.
The remaining titles in the 21-film selection are 'Kindik (The Cord)' from Kazakhstan, 'Baracoa' (Cuba and Italy), 'Bo Bo' (Russian Federation), 'Safe Exit' (Egypt, Germany, Libya, Qatar and Tunisia), '9 Temples to Heaven' (Thailand, Singapore, France, Norway, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Qatar), 'Cotton' (Uzbekistan), 'Baga: Tomorrow Belongs to No One' (Malaysia), '1982' (Vietnam), 'And the Snow Was Falling' (Belarus) and 'Baab' (United Arab Emirates).
The 57th IFFI is scheduled to be held from November 20 to 28 across multiple venues in Goa. The festival will screen more than 150 international films from 86 countries across its competitive and non-competitive sections, curated packages, retrospectives, tributes and thematic showcases. UNI PWS NST CDS
Tags: #IFFI 2026 to showcase 21 BRICS films exploring democracy# freedom# identity and global concerns
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