Goa State Film Festival 2025 Kicks Off with Grand Celebration

The 10th, 11th, and 12th editions of the Goa State Film Festival 2025 commenced with great enthusiasm on 14th August 2025 at Inox, Panaji. The prestigious festival was inaugurated by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, in the presence of eminent dignitaries including Smt. Delilah M. Lobo, MLA, Siolim Constituency & Vice Chairperson of ESG; Shri Damu Naik, film personality & Ex Vice Chairman of ESG; Shri Rohit Monserrate, Mayor of CCP, Panaji; Shri Sarpreet Singh Gill, IAS, Secretary, Dept. of Information & Publicity; Shri Ashwin Chandru, IAS, CEO of ESG; and Shri Dipak Bandekar, Director, Dept. of Information & Publicity.

The opening ceremony was highlighted by the presence of Mohammad Ali, renowned actor, comedian, and television presenter with a career spanning over 1,200 films in Telugu and various other languages. The event also featured soulful performances by celebrated singer Jolly Mukherjee, Goa’s own Mukesh Ghatwal, and entertaining acts by Sagar Karande and Ankur Wadhave of Chala Hawa Yeu Dya fame.

The Chief Minister announced the winners of the 48 Hours Short Film Competition:

1. Best Film (First Prize) – Ful ani Savli (Flower and Shade)

2. Best Film (Second Prize) – Before Sunrise

3. Best Director – Glen Cardozo (Ful ani Savli)

4. Best Cinematographer – Tejas V. Naik (Ful ani Savli)

5. Best Editor – Yuri B. Carvalho (Ful ani Savli)

6. Best Actor (Male) – Niraj Arrie (Lift)

7. Best Actor (Female) – Rati Bhatikar (Ful ani Savli)

(Entry to festival screenings and sessions is free and open to all on a first-come, first-served basis)