INDIA FIRST . MADHYA PRADESH . RIYA CHANDANI
The International Film Festival for Ancient Splendour (IFFAS), now in its third year, has emerged as a distinguished global platform celebrating the profound legacy of world civilizations. Hosted in the historic city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India, under the aegis of Maharaja Vikramaditya Shodhpeeth and the Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, the festival seeks to honor the intellectual, spiritual, and artistic traditions that have shaped humanity across centuries.
IFFAS provides a unique confluence of cultures, aiming to foster meaningful creative partnerships among nations through the transformative power of cinema. By leveraging the universal language of film, the festival encourages the exchange of ideas, intercultural dialogue, and mutual respect among filmmakers, scholars, cultural ambassadors, and audiences worldwide. In its short but impactful journey, IFFAS has become a beacon for connecting Indian cinema with global narratives, offering a platform where feature films, documentaries, and curated submissions are showcased.
On Day 1 (13 March 2026), Hindi feature films such as Jai Mahadev (1995), Bharat Milap (1942), Vaaman Avatar (1955), Raja Harishchandra (1913), and Maya Machindra (1960) are set to screen. Films in other Indian languages include Bhagwan Shree Krishna (Gujarati), Bhatti Vikramark (Telugu), Meera Ro Girdhar (Rajasthani), Krishna Vijayam (Tamil), and Radha Krishno (Bengali). Documentaries include 84 Mahadev (Secret Shiv Temple in Ujjain), Myson (Shiva Temple Complex, Vietnam), and Vikram or Ayodhya (Relation of Samrat Vikramaditya). International entries on Day 1 feature Dedicada a mi ex (Ecuador), J (Germany), Turba (Venezuela), one week and a day (Israel), and Operation Orion (Venezuela), along with submissions such as Main Bharat and Digital Fasting.
Day 2 (14 March 2026) highlights Hindi films like Mahabharat (1965), Maha Vishnu (1974), Har Har Mahadev (1974), Ram Rajya (1943), and Balram Shrikrishna (1978). Other Indian language films include Balram Shree Krishna (Gujarati), Vikram Thui Than Kanda (Tamil), Shri Krishna Garundi (Kannad), Shree Krishna Avatan (Telugu), and Shree Krishna Parunthu (Malayalam). Documentaries for Day 2 include Dwadash Jyotirling (12 Shiva Jyotirling Temple in India), Vat Phou (Shiva Mountain Temple Complex, Laos), and Sandipani Ashram (Lord Krishna Study Place). International feature films include Misfit ere o te haces (Ecuador), The Highland Vanguard (Indonesia), Kueka: Ancestral Memory (Venezuela), Sacha; A boy from Chernobyl (Cuba), and The Leap of the Angels (Venezuela). Submissions include Kitabi Masti and The Whispers of Change.
Day 3 March 15, 2026
On the third day of the International Film Festival for Ancient Splendour (IFFAS) 2026, a diverse lineup of films will be screened, including Hindi feature films, regional Indian language films, documentaries, and foreign features. The Hindi feature films scheduled include Kalya Mardan (1919), Bhakt Dhruv (1947), Anand Math (1952), Kan Kan Mein Bhagwan (1963), and Sant Tulsidas (1972). Other Indian language films include Bhakt Narsaiyo (Gujarati), Gopal Krishna (Marathi), Krishana Govinda (Odiya), Shree Krishna Lilayu (Telugu), and Krishna Bhakti (Tamil). Documentaries such as Mahakaal (Concept of Time), Prambanan (Trimurti Temple Complex, Indonesia), and Heliyodoras Stambh (150 BC Vishnu Pillar by Greece Ambassador) will also be showcased, highlighting cultural heritage and historical exploration. Foreign feature films for the day include Peru’s City of Ghosts (documentary), that_orchestra_with_the_broken_instruments (Israel), The Extraordinary Journey of the Dragon (Venezuela), EL MAYOR (Cuba), and Julla has a Sugar (Venezuela). Selected submission films will present unique stories and creative perspectives from global filmmakers.
Day 4 March 16, 2026
The fourth day of IFFAS 2026 will be divided into two parts. The first part features Hindi films such as Gopal Shree Krishna (1938), Narad Leela (1972), Kavi Kalidas (1959), Narsih Bhagat (1940), and Shree Ganesha (1950). Regional Indian language films include Shree Krishna Sharnarm (Gujarati), Mahabir Krishna (Bengali), Shree Krishna, Rukmani, Satybhama (Kannada), Krishna Guru Vyarappa (Malayalam), and Bhagat Dhanna Jat (Punjabi). Documentaries such as Mahakal (The Time Cycle of Creation), Martand Sun Mandir (Sun Temple in Kashmir), and Angkor Wat (World’s Largest Vishnu Temple Complex, Cambodia) will provide insight into spiritual and historical heritage. Foreign features include Viren (Suriname), Anibal_O Conquistador (Português), The Batrachians (Venezuela), What do you do? (USA), and The Inner Glow (Venezuela). Submissions like Ek Aur Azadi Chook, The Mistake will also be presented.
Continuing on Day 4, additional screenings of classic Hindi films include Hari Darshan – Prahlad Maharaj (1972), Sampum Ramayan (1981), Bajrang Bali (1976), Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1954), and Shankar Sita Anusaiya (1965). Regional films include Yahsodha Krishna (Telugu), Shree Krishna Leela (Tamil), Shree Krishna Prem (Bengali), Shree Krishna Arjun Yudham (Telugu), and Bhagwan Shree Krishna Chetany (Bengali). Documentaries for the day include Raja Bhoj, Vijay Mandir (Sun Temple in Madhya Pradesh, Vidisha), and Ramayan (Sri Lanka & ASEAN Countries). Foreign films will include Retour A Pondichéry (French), Tonton Eduard (French), Tarkai de Chivo (Venezuela), Dance of Shiva (French), and Death in Berruecos (Venezuela). Submissions on display include The Celebration of Durga Puja: A Spiritual Journey Into India’s Festive Season and Lipittik.
IFFAS also recognizes cinematic and societal excellence through prestigious awards. The Samrat Vikramaditya International Award, with a prize of ₹1,01,00,000, honors individuals or institutions globally, including India, who have demonstrated excellence in fields reflecting the diverse virtues of Samrat Vikramaditya, such as justice, charity, good governance, astronomy, astrology, arts, valor, diplomacy, spirituality, interfaith harmony, Indian culture promotion, and public welfare. The Samrat Vikramaditya National Award, with a prize of ₹21,00,000, recognizes outstanding contributions at the national level inspired by the same virtues. Additionally, three Shikhar Awards of ₹5,00,000 each are presented to individuals or institutions active in Madhya Pradesh, excelling in jurisprudence, arts, astronomy, diplomacy, spirituality, literature, and creative public welfare.
The festival’s vision is rooted in Ujjain’s legacy of scholarship and spiritual heritage. IFFAS serves as a symbolic bridge between antiquity and contemporary creative expression, promoting intercultural dialogue, artistic collaboration, and a sustained global cinematic conversation. By presenting Indian cinema to international audiences and bringing distinguished global works to India, IFFAS strengthens cultural diplomacy, celebrates shared human heritage, and demonstrates the enduring role of cinema in connecting civilizations.
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