Pune: The 23rd Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) 2025 will kick off with an inauguration ceremony today at 5 pm at Shri Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch, Pune. The event will be graced by Ashish Shelar, Minister of Cultural affairs government of Maharashtra while Swati Mhase-Patil, MD of Filmcity Mumbai, will be the chief guest.

Veteran actress Shubha Khote and Padma Bhushan awardee Anupam Kher will be honoured with the ‘PIFF Distinguished Award’ for their immense contributions to Indian cinema. Additionally, veteran singer Padma Shri Kavita Krishnamurthy will receive the Music Director S. D. Burman Award for her exceptional contribution to music.

The festival is jointly organised by Pune Film Foundation, Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra and Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, Mumbai. This year’s theme is ‘Showman; Raj Kapoor’s’ birth centenary year.

This year the ceremony will begin with the performance by the renowned percussionist Vijay Chavan, followed by the screening of the Italian film ‘Gloria’ by Margherita Vicario as the opening film.

During the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) 2025, around 150 films from various countries will be screened. This includes 14 films in the World Competition section and 7 in the Marathi Competition section. The festival will run from 13th to 20th February.

The catalogue fee is Rs. 800 for all attendees. The online registration process is currently active on the festival's official website, www.piffindia.com. Spot registration is also available at the cinema halls.

Screenings will be held at 11 screens across three locations: PVR Icon (6 screens) in Pavilion Mall on Senapati Bapat Road, Inox (3 screens) in Camp Area, and Cinepolis Cinema (2 screens) in West End Mall in Aundh area.