ImagineIndia celebrates its 25th edition in Madrid

Madrid will host the 25th edition of the ImagineIndia International Film Festival from 1 to 16 September 2026. The festival is particularly dedicated to cinema from India and the rest of Asia and is conceived as a platform to promote knowledge, friendship and cultural cooperation between the Indian subcontinent, Spain and Europe.

Organised by the ImagineIndia Madrid Indian Film Festival Association (AIMIFF), with the support of our trustees, Madrid City Council and Casa Asia, the festival will feature competitive sections for feature films, documentaries and short films, as well as parallel non-competitive sections. The international call for entries will remain open until 15 August.

Since its inception, ImagineIndia has maintained a special connection with Indian cinema, although over the years it has broadened its scope to include productions from numerous countries. Its aim continues to be to introduce Spanish audiences to different cinematic and cultural expressions from India and Asia while fostering closer cultural ties with Europe.

The 2026 edition will also recognise two major figures in Asian cinema. Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda will receive an Honorary Award from the festival. Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes for Shoplifters and the Jury Prize for Like Father, Like Son, Kore-eda is one of the most internationally acclaimed figures in contemporary Japanese cinema.

The festival has also announced a career achievement recognition for Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai, one of the most influential auteurs in contemporary Asian cinema and director of films including In the Mood for Love and Chungking Express.

India will also be represented on the festival jury. Its members include Indian actress Ketaki Narayan, whose career spans Malayalam, Marathi, Telugu and Hindi cinema. Indian film scholar, writer and critic Shoma A. Chatterji is also among the jury members announced by the festival.

The juries will present the Golden Chakra Awards in a range of categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Music, Best Documentary, Best Short Film and Best Spanish Short Film, as well as career achievement and institutional awards.

Festival Programme