The 10th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival, is set to take place from January 15 to 19, 2025 at PVR INOX, Prozone Mall, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Several national and international artists are to grace the festival 

Organised by the Marathwada Art, Culture and Film Foundation and presented by Nath Group, Mahatma Gandhi Mission and Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, AIFF is endorsed by International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI).

It is also supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, National Film Development Corporation Ltd., Government of Maharashtra and Maharashtra Film, State and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. 

Solitaire Towers and Abhyudaya Foundation are the co-organizers while MGM School of Film Arts is the academic partner and MGM Radio FM 90.8 is the radio partner. 

Objective

The festival aims to present world-class films to cinema enthusiasts, provide a platform for filmmakers, technicians, artists, and young cinema enthusiasts to exchange ideas and explore the art and craft of filmmaking, Establish Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Marathwada as a cultural centre and production hub on the global stage, promote tourism in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to attract both national and international visitors, facilitate interactions between talented artists from Marathwada and experts from the film industry and showcase contemporary Marathi cinema at the national and international levels.

Indian Cinema Competition

The five-day festival promises a packed schedule of events. As in previous editions, the Indian Cinema Competition category will feature nine films in various Indian languages. A panel of five national-level jury members will evaluate these films alongside audiences.

The Best Indian Film will be awarded the Golden Kailas Award and a cash prize of `1 lakh. Additional awards will recognize the Best Screenplay and the Best Actor (Male/Female) in individual categories.

The jury for the Indian Cinema Competition will be chaired by renowned actress Seema Biswas (Guwahati). The jury panel includes veteran cinematographer C.K. Muraleedharan (Mumbai), senior editor Deepa Bhatia (Mumbai), celebrated director Joe Baby (Kochi), and acclaimed screenwriter and actor Girish Joshi (Mumbai).

InaugurationThe festival will be inaugurated by Maharashtra’s Minister of Cultural Affairs, Adv. Ashish Shelar, in the presence of the festival’s honorary chairman, renowned filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker.

This year’s Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to eminent author, screenwriter, producer, and director Padma Bhushan Sai Paranjpye for her unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema. The award will be conferred by the Minister of Cultural Affairs.

Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony of the festival will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 5:00 PM at PVR-INOX, Prozone Mall. The event will take place in the gracious presence of celebrated choreographer and filmmaker Farah Khan, Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, and the festival's honorary chairman, renowned filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker.