Second List of Nominated Films Announced for JIFF 2026

- Vinod Kumar, Senior Film Journalist

Selected Outstanding Films of World Cinema – Nominated for JIFF 2026

Friday, 5 December 2025 – New Delhi: The 18th Jaipur International Film Festival – JIFF 2026, scheduled to be held from 13th to 15th February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, has officially announced its Second List of Nominated Films. The list features 119 films from 29 countries, selected from 567 submissions across 51 countries.

This comes after the First List, which included 221 films from 37 countries. The Second List includes:

The Second List of JIFF 2026 features a total of 119 films, presenting a rich and diverse global selection across multiple categories. This includes 31 Feature Fiction films, 15 Documentary Features, 1 Animation Feature, 57 Short Fiction films, 6 Documentary Shorts, 3 Animation Shorts, along with 3 Web Series, 1 Mobile Film, 2 Songs, and 7 Student Films, showcasing a broad spectrum of creativity and cinematic talent from India and abroad.

JIFF 2026 will be organized in New Delhi as part of the JIFF–NDFF Global Cine Confluence: Delhi Film Convention & Summit 2026, aligning with India’s growing global leadership in cinema and cultural diplomacy.

FEATURE FICTION FILMS – BRIEF PROFILES

Below are concise highlights of the 31 Feature Fiction nominees from the Second List 

The Second List of JIFF 2026 presents a powerful lineup of 31 Feature Fiction films from across the world, showcasing exceptional storytelling, cultural depth and cinematic innovation. This diverse category includes international titles such as Beyond The Wetlands – Director’s Cut (Pakistan) by Arsalan Majid, Without Permission (United Kingdom) by Hassan Nazer, Norse Game (UK) by Nathan Kayn, Parallel Lines (Panama) by Ana Patricia Angulo and Paco Castillo, Bet (Bulgaria) by Svetoslav Ovcharov, Pullup (South Korea) by Chung Hun Mok, The Invited (South Korea) by Hyung-kyu Kim, Shambhala Story (USA) by Toshio Sekine, and New Year (China) by Shi Guoren. From India, the list features strong and diverse narratives including Avalokana, Chiram, Sohla, PM’s Wife, Maria, Joothan, Kadal Kanni (The Mermaid), Sudhagad 07, Thiru.Manickam, Swapno Udaan, Vanya Badiger, Maliput Melodies, Veluppu, Chal Halla Bol, and the Rajasthan-origin film Tere Mohbbat. Films like Ashengba (India–Nepal), Matarsak (Iran), Sun Ave (Germany) and Triloka (India–Switzerland) further enrich the global mix. Together, these 31 films form the core of the Feature Fiction Competition Category, reflecting JIFF’s commitment to celebrating world-class filmmaking, cultural diversity, and bold new voices in global cinema.

Founder–Director Hanu Roj said, “The Second List reflects the growing global trust in JIFF as the world’s largest and most respected competitive film festival. Filmmakers from 29 countries have brought stories of extraordinary depth and diversity. JIFF 2026 in New Delhi is not just a festival—it is a cultural movement and a milestone for world cinema.”

Spokesperson Rajendra Boda said, “With 119 outstanding films in the Second List, the 2026 edition stands at a historic creative high. From powerful feature fictions to strong documentaries and innovative student films, this list showcases cinema’s evolving voice across continents. We are proud to host such global brilliance in India’s capital.”