Aizawl: Mizoram’s acclaimed filmmaker Napolean RZ Thanga has been appointed as the jury member of the 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), becoming the first person from the northeastern state to receive the honour.
A pioneering documentary filmmaker from Aizawl, Napolean will serve on the Panorama Jury at the ongoing festival.
Touted as India’s biggest film festival, IFFI kicked off in Goa on November 20 and will conclude on November 28.
As part of his jury responsibilities, Napolean recently joined a 13-member jury panel in Mumbai to evaluate films for the Indian Panorama section. The panel screened and reviewed around 450 films, selecting 30 feature films that will be showcased during the festival.
He has nearly two decades of experience in documentary and short filmmaking, with his works being screened at several film festivals. He also represented the Northeast as a delegate at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2023.
Napolean’s selection is being regarded as a milestone for Mizoram’s creative community and recognition of the growing footprint of Mizo cinema on the national stage.
IFFI 2025 has attracted an unprecedented 3,400 film submissions from 127 countries, consolidating its position as one of Asia’s premier film festivals. Over 270 films from 84 countries will be screened, including 26 world premieres, 48 Asia premieres, and 99 premieres from India.
IFFI will also present award-winning films from Cannes, Berlinale, Venice, Locarno, TIFF, Busan and IFFR. Three major international competitions will feature 32 films from five continents.
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The festival will also celebrate centenary tributes to legendary Indian cinema icons such as Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P Bhanumathi, Bhupen Hazarika, and Salil Chowdhury.
