In its 24th year, the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) will take place in the city from January 15th to the 22nd. The festival will pay tribute to seasoned artists from both the Hindi and Marathi film and music industries, with a focus on Marathi cinema.
Pune International Film Festival—Things to know
The 24th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) will take place from January 15th to 22nd, 2026, turning Pune into a bastion of storytelling, culture, and film. Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) is a major event in Maharashtra that brings together independent filmmakers, award-winning films, and thought-provoking discussions to connect Indian audiences with cinema from across the world.
The "Birth Centenary of the great producer, actor, and director Guru Dutt" is the theme for this year. Presented by the Pune Film Foundation in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, this year's festival will take place on ten screens throughout the city of Pune. These screens include six at PVR ICON in Pavilion Mall, three at E-Square on University Road, and one at the NFDC-NFAI campus on Law College Road. There will be a jam-packed week for movie buffs, with around 140 films playing in various areas.
The centennial of the birth of the great Indian film director, producer, and actor Guru Dutt—who made films like Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool—will be recognised at PIFF 2026. This year's event will pay tribute to cinematic history while also showcasing modern storytelling through several screenings and discussions that will celebrate his legacy.
Pune International Film Festival—venue and Marathi films to watch!
Located on Ganeshkhind Road, the E-Square multiplex will host the opening ceremony of the festival. A total of seven films will be shown in the Marathi film competition, which is overseen by an international jury: Adishesh (Ramesh More), Toh Ti Ani Fuji (Mohit Takalkar), Tighee (Jeejivisha Kale), Jeev (Ravindrandra Manik Jadhav), Gondhal (Santosh Dawkhar), Gaman (Manoj Naiksatam), and Bappya (Sameer Tewari). The four films curated by the 'Marathi Cinema Today' section are: Sohla (Saikaat Bagbaan), Mukkampost Bombilwadi (Paresh Mokashi), Maya (Aditya Ingale), and Dwidha (Nilesh Bhaskar Naik).
An international affair
Over 900 films from 103 different nations competed in this year's World Cinema Competition at PIFF. A total of fourteen films made it to the knockout stage. As part of the Sant Tukaram Award for Excellence in International Cinema, which carries a monetary reward of Rs 10 lakh and is presented by the Maharashtra Government, the winning film will be selected by an international jury. Cyril Aris's ASad and Beautiful World, Laura Wandel's Adam's Sake, Cherien Dabis's All That's Left of You, Max Walker-Silverman's Rebuilding, and Indian filmmaker Pradip Kubrah's The Elysian Field are just a few of the films from a diverse variety of locations and genres that made it to the shortlist.
Filmmakers and industry experts will be participating in PIFF's seminars, lectures, and Q&A sessions. Session on Iranian and European cinema, the "Voices of Tomorrow" talks with up-and-coming Marathi filmmakers, and the Vijay Tendulkar Memorial Lecture given by writer B. Jeyamohan are all highlights.
Honorees of the 2026 Pune International Film Festival
Pune Film Foundation, Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, and the Maharashtra government's department of cultural affairs are coordinating the event. Renowned Indian film figures Biswajit Chatterjee and Farida Jalal will be presented with the 'PIFF Distinguished Award', according to festival director and president Jabbar Patel and the trustees of the Pune Film Foundation. Fiddler and composer Amar Haldipur will receive the SD Burman International Award for Music.
Why PIFF is a must-attend event for cinephiles
For cinephiles, the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) highlights the importance of supporting cinema in local languages, especially Marathi. As a festival rooted in Maharashtra, PIFF gives regional filmmakers a vital platform to tell stories shaped by local culture, language, and lived realities. These films convey emotional and social nuances that mainstream, commercial cinema often overlooks.
By choosing to watch Marathi films at PIFF, audiences directly support independent creators and encourage investment in authentic storytelling. For film lovers, this engagement goes beyond viewing—it helps preserve linguistic diversity, nurture new voices, and strengthen Pune’s identity as a city that values thoughtful, culturally grounded cinema.
PIFF Tickets and timings
Tickets to the event may be purchased online at the official PIFF website and cost Rs 800. Online registration is now open. You can also register at the door at any of the festival locations every day between 11 am and 7 pm.