Ajanta–Ellora International Film Festival to Screen 70 Films From Jan 28

The 11th Ajanta–Ellora International Film Festival (AEIFF 2026) will showcase 70 films from India and abroad and will be held from January 28 to February 1 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra) , turning the city into a key hub for cinema lovers and filmmakers. Organised by the Marathwada Art, Culture and Film Foundation (MACFF) along with the Nath Group and the MGM Yashwantrao Chavan Centre , the festival aims to bring world-class films to audiences while creating a platform for filmmakers, technicians, artists and young cinema enthusiasts to learn, network and exchange ideas on the craft of filmmaking.

A major highlight of this edition is the Indian Cinema Competition , which will feature nine films across Indian languages. The best film will receive the festival’s top honour, the Golden Kailas Award , which also carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh along with a trophy and certificate. The competition jury will be chaired by Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty , while the FIPRESCI jury (International Federation of Film Critics) will be headed by senior film critic and academic Dr CS Venkiteswaran , giving the festival strong national and international credibility.

The inauguration ceremony will be attended by filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker , the festival’s honorary chairman, as per the organisers. Alongside screenings, the festival has lined up high-value sessions for film students and industry followers, including a special interaction with Chidambaram , director of the Malayalam blockbuster ‘Manjummel Boys’ , and a panel discussion on ‘The Changing Face of Marathi Cinema’ featuring National Award-winning director Ashish Bende (Aatmapamphlet) , director Rohan Kanwade (Saarbond) , producer Tanmayee Deo , and Film City’s Pankaj Chavan . A special ‘In Conversation’ programme with veteran actor Dilip Prabhavalkar is scheduled for January 31 , adding star value and depth to the festival’s cultural programming.

Another key attraction will be the expert session ‘Film: From Script to Screen’ , featuring Resul Pookutty , editor Aarti Bajaj , director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury , cinematographer Rafey Mahmood , and screenwriter Urmi Juvekar , focusing on the real-world creative and technical process behind filmmaking. Acclaimed filmmaker Aanand L Rai will also conduct a special masterclass aimed at aspiring creators. Reports indicate the festival will be hosted across major city venues including PVR INOX at Prozone Mall , while the inauguration is scheduled at Rukmini Auditorium (MGM Campus) , underlining the festival’s growing scale and cultural importance in Maharashtra’s events calendar.