The International Prayagraj Film Festival (IPFF) 2026 brought together filmmakers, critics and cultural personalities at Hotel Prayag Inn in Ashok Nagar, Prayagraj, on Friday.
Madhubala Films and Rotary Prayagraj Sangam jointly organised the event to celebrate cinema in Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Bundeli and Braj.
The festival featured discussions on regional filmmaking, film appreciation and screenwriting, highlighting opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
Madhubala Films Chairman Alok Malviya and programme chairman Dr Amit Tripathi inaugurated the festival with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp and Saraswati Vandana.
Dr Tripathi welcomed the guests, while organisers presented them with bouquets and traditional angavastrams.
Film and screenplay writer Sanjay Masoom attended as Chief Guest.
Film critic and journalist Deepak Dua and Rotary District Governor Rotarian Poonam Gulati were among the distinguished guests.
Gulati, however, encouraged artists and young participants through her address.
The organisers presented the Rotary Creative Leadership Awards to recognise contributions to art, culture and creative leadership.
During a panel discussion, Dr Ranjit Singh described regional-language cinema as an expression of cultural roots.
Virendra Mishra stressed the importance of authentic visuals and dialogue, while Dr Mrinal Kant Pandey highlighted the potential of festivals to introduce regional films to international audiences.
At 3 PM, Deepak Dua discussed how viewers could understand cinema beyond entertainment, explaining the importance of lighting, background scores and filmmaking techniques.
Rakesh Srivastava highlighted how individual shots communicate stories.
A screenwriting discussion began at 04:30 PM. Sanjay Masoom recalled his connection with Prayagraj, saying the city had transformed him from Sanjay Srivastava into Sanjay Masoom.
“Screenplay is the backbone of a film; if the conflict and emotions of the characters are not strong in your script, even the biggest star cannot save the film,” he stated.
Dhananjay Chopra and Ratibhan Tripathi discussed engaging storytelling and culturally rooted dialogue.
Uday Chand Pardesi and his group presented a cultural programme.
The festival, however, concluded with an award ceremony and a vote of thanks.
Alok Malviya and Dr Amit Tripathi, the District Secretary of Rotary District 3120, played key roles in organising the event.
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