3rd August: The countdown to India’s most epic celebration of cinema has officially begun. Rajnigandha Presents Jagran Film Festival (JFF), the world’s largest traveling film festival, is back for its 14th edition. The grand cinematic journey kicks off in New Delhi from August 20th to 23rd, 2026, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi before embarking on a nation-wide tour across 14 major cities, including Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Agra, Dehradun, Gorakhpur, Hisar, Ludhiana, Patna, Ranchi, Meerut and Mumbai, culminating in a star-studded finale with the Jagran Film Festival Awards on 1st Nov 2026.
For four spectacular days, New Delhi will transform into the epicentre of Indian cinema, setting the stage for the grand opening of the festival which will commence with a prestigious inaugural ceremony to be graced by the Hon’ble Minister of Information & Broadcasting Minister, alongside eminent personalities from the film fraternity, distinguished country ambassadors, and thought leaders, reflecting JFF’s stature as one of India’s most celebrated cinematic platforms. Bringing together actors, filmmakers, producers, writers, casting directors, industry leaders, emerging talent and passionate movie lovers, the festival promises an experience that goes beyond traditional film screenings. From exclusive premieres and masterclasses to workshops, insightful conversations and interactive experiences, JFF will once again celebrate cinema in all its many forms.
Over the past fourteen years, Jagran Film Festival has travelled across the country with a simple belief: great stories deserve to reach great audiences. What began as a film festival has grown into a vibrant platform for discovery, conversation and connection… It is a space where celebrated filmmakers engage with emerging talent, audiences discover new cinematic voices, and stories continue to live on through conversations long after the credits roll.
Bigger and bolder, this year Jagran Film Festival is set to be an unmissable celebration of cinema. Building on the massive success of past editions, featuring world premieres like Netflix’s Inspector Zende, iconic tributes celebrating 50 years of Sholay and Shabana Azmi, and interactive sessions with cinema legends like Manoj Bajpayee and Kajol, masterclasses with Mukesh Chhabra and the award nights being attended by popular artists like Anupam Kher, Rajkumar Rao, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and many others, this year the festival elevates the experience to extraordinary new heights.
The 14th edition of Jagran Film Festival will celebrate the icons whose artistry has shaped Indian and world cinema through a thoughtfully curated line-up of retrospectives, tributes and special screenings. A highlight of this year’s festival is “The Language of Timeless Grace”, a retrospective honouring the remarkable journey of Moushumi Chatterjee, celebrating an actor whose timeless performances have become a part of India’s cinematic heritage. The festival will also commemorate 125 years of V. Shantaram, the Centenary of Raj Kumar, and 50 years of Girish Kasaravalli.
A major highlight of this edition will be a special heartfelt homage to four stalwarts of Indian cinema—legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle, iconic actor Dharmendra, celebrated comic legends Asrani and Satish Shah, and internationally acclaimed filmmaker Béla Tarr. The special tribute will honor their enduring legacies, unmatched art, and extraordinary contributions that have shaped cinema over decades. Through movie screenings, retrospectives, and discussion sessions, the festival will celebrate their timeless works and the profound impact they continue to have on audiences
Audiences will also get a chance to experience and relive the magic of some of Indian cinema’s most iconic films with special screenings of Chandni Bar and Lagaan; stories that continue to resonate across generations and remain benchmarks in cinematic storytelling.
Looking towards the future, JFF 2026 will continue its commitment to nurturing emerging talent through a host of immersive experiences. JFF Untitled – Season 2 returns as a launchpad for aspiring filmmakers, offering recognition, industry exposure, and many networking opportunities. The festival also introduces a hands-on Live AI Filmmaking Workshop exploring AI-powered tools for storytelling and filmmaking. Together with masterclasses, casting sessions, JFF Fashionista and engaging conversations with industry leaders, the 14th edition promises to inspire the next generation of storytellers while celebrating the future of cinema.
Moreover, Audiences can look forward to an exciting line-up of opening and closing films, world and Indian premieres, special screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions and exclusive conversations with some of the biggest names in cinema and entertainment, like Imtiaz Ali, Madhur Bhandarkar, Sudhir Mishra, Guneet Monga, Lillete Dubey, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Aimee Baruah and Casting Season by Tess Joseph and Mukesh Chhabra. Whether it is discovering a filmmaker for the first time, listening to an industry icon share stories from their journey, or simply watching a great film alongside fellow cinema lovers, JFF promises an experience that celebrates the many ways in which stories bring people together.
The complete festival programme, film line-up, celebrity sessions, registrations and additional highlights will be announced soon. Following its opening chapter in New Delhi, Jagran Film Festival will continue its journey across multiple cities before culminating in Mumbai with the Jagran Film Festival Awards Night 2026 on 1 November 2026. The star-studded evening will bring together some of the biggest names from Indian cinema to honour excellence across films and OTT, while celebrating another landmark year of storytelling.
Basant Rathore, Sr. Vice President – Strategy & Brand Development, Jagran Prakashan Ltd., said: “Jagran Film Festival has always believed that cinema is far more than entertainment-it is one of the most powerful mediums for shaping ideas, preserving culture, and inspiring social dialogue. For fourteen years, the festival has remained committed to taking meaningful cinema beyond metropolitan audiences and creating a truly democratic platform where celebrated masters, emerging filmmakers, industry professionals, and young audiences come together. As we open the 14th edition of Jagran Film Festival in New Delhi, we reaffirm our commitment to celebrating stories that challenge perspectives, spark conversations, and reflect the diversity of India and the world. This year’s festival brings together exceptional films, distinguished cinematic voices, and thought leaders to create an enriching cultural experience. We welcome audiences to be part of this celebration of creativity, storytelling, and the transformative power of cinema.”