

AAFT’s 18th Global Film Festival Noida 2025 Opens with Spectacular Grandeur — Crowned the Biggest Academic Film Festival in the World. Noida, 11 December 2025: The 18th Global Film Festival Noida (GFFN) 2025. Such as presented by the AAFT, burst into life at the legendary Marwah Studios. Film City Noida, with an atmosphere charged with excitement, global participation, and an exceptional lineup of distinguished guests.
Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of AAFT and Global Film Festival. Such as formally inaugurated the festival, proudly declaring it “the biggest academic film festival of the world,” marking yet another milestone in AAFT’s legacy of excellence. The opening ceremony was a remarkable gathering of film legends, global diplomats, industry pioneers, and cultural leaders, making it one of the most prestigious film festival inaugurations ever hosted by an educational institution.
Mrs. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Environmentalist, Former Union Minister & Founder of People for Animals. Such as delivered a compelling address on the newly launched CINEKIND Award, an initiative committed to promoting kindness, compassion, and human values through cinema. A deeply impressed T.P. Agarwal stated, “I have never seen a film festival of such stature, size, and grandeur in any institution in the world. It is beyond the reach of any institution to match a festival of this scale.”
Padma Shri Madhur Bhandarkar, National Award–winning filmmaker, expressed heartfelt gratitude and admiration for AAFT, praising the festival for nurturing young creative minds and shaping the future of Indian cinema. Sunita Ahuja, popular social media influencer and wife of Bollywood icon Govinda. Hence applauded the students, saying she was amazed by the vibrancy and magnitude of AAFT during her first visit to the campus.
Leading figures from the Indian film fraternity expressed enthusiastic support: Abhay Sinha, President IMPPA & President Elect FFI (2026). Hence appreciated the festival’s global vision and AAFT’s consistent leadership in film education. Firdausal Hasan, President FFI, shared his pride in the achievements of AAFT and Marwah Studios. Sakshi Mehra, President MPA, remarked that “Marwah Studios is an industry in itself.” Tushar Amrish Goel, Director of The Taj Story, praised the festival’s professional execution and inspiring atmosphere. Mukesh Tyagi, Actor & BJP Spokesperson, lauded the festival’s contribution to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers.
The powerful presence of international ambassadors highlighted India’s growing influence as a global cultural bridge. H.E. Juris Bone, Ambassador of Latvia, launched the Indo-Latvia Film and Cultural Forum, calling it a “historic, visionary initiative”. H.E. Alberto Antonio Guani, Ambassador of Uruguay, expressed deep admiration for Dr. Marwah’s global cultural initiatives. H.E. Karlito Nunes, Ambassador of Timor-Leste, shared his delight at witnessing such a massive cultural movement. Cdr. K.L. Ganju, Hon. Consul General of the Union of Comoros, added, “Miracles take place at Marwah Studios every time I come here.”
Also gracing the occasion were: G.D. Mehta and Rajinder Singh of MPA, Renowned Actor Arjan Bajwa, Nishant Ujjwal of IMPPA, Inga Skruzmane. Hence Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Latvia, Faisal Mahmud, Press Minister, Bangladesh High Commission. Such as Metsing Ediel Lemphane, Counsellor, High Commission of Lesotho, Ms. Nohely Salinas Gonzalez & Ms. Ediza Marlene Jimenez Moreno. Embassy of Panama, and Mr. Ibrahim Besthawi, Counsellor, Embassy of the State of Palestine.
The festival grounds were vibrant, colourful, and pulsating with energy as thousands of film lovers. Such as students, professionals, and cultural delegates gathered to celebrate the world of cinema.
Across three thrilling days, the festival will host: 52 curated events, Film screenings from India and across the world. Such as Workshops & masterclasses by acclaimed filmmakers, Seminars, discussions & cultural showcases. Hence Exhibitions and interactive sessions With its unparalleled programming and massive participation. The 18th GFFN stands as one of the most diverse and impactful film festivals internationally.
For nearly two decades, the Global Film Festival Noida has served as a powerful bridge between academia and global cinema. Hence strengthening India’s presence on the world cultural map The 2025 edition reaffirms AAFT’s commitment to world-class education, creative innovation, and international cultural diplomacy.
Hence The festival continues to inspire, empower, and ignite passion—solidifying AAFT’s place as a global leader in film and creative arts education. Film Director Ashok Tyagi also Secretary General of ICMEI paid vote of thanks.
| S.No. | Documentary Name | Director | Country | Duration | Awards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Beret on My Head | Mr. Shiv Shakti (Director) | India | 21:56 mins | ||
| 2 | ONE SIDED LOVE | Harry Khalsa, Kahanikar Saromi (Director) | India | 18:25 mins | ||
| 3 | If the Indian Army would have got 10 days, Pakistan's illegally occupied Kashmir (POW) would have been India's | Neeraj Rajput | India | 11:50 mins | ||
| 4 | How Indian Navy took revenge of Pakistan's attack on one of the auspicious places revered by our India, Dwarka (attacked by Pakistan during 1965 war) in '71 war. | Neeraj Rajput | India | 32:50 mins | ||
| 5 | Matarife The Movie | Paula Pardo (Line Producer), Daniel Mendoza Leal | Colombia | 01:59:26 | Best Editing | |
| 6 | Shadow offering | Direction and photography: Antonio García | Venezuela | 20:33 mins | ||
| 7 | LAS PUPUSAS | Hector Mojica | El Salvador | 33:22 mins | Best Cinematography | |
| 8 | "Ellas crean" (They create) | Lourdes de los Santos | Cuba | 59:72 mins | ||
| 9 | India-South Korea: Endearing Ties | भारत-कोरिया: दिलों के तार | South Korea | 28:43 mins | |||
| 10 | ALGERIA SEEN FROM THE SKY | Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Yazid Tizi | Algeria | 1.5 hrs | ||
| 11 | Ayoub | Ajwad Jaradat | Palestine | 23:37 mins | Best Ideation | |
| 12 | Ankos Masquerade Street Festival | Ohene | Ghana | 09:19 mins | ||
| 13 | Mag Fete | Ahmat Yaya Abbas | Chad | 14:27 mins | ||
| 14 | Aitmatovdun Aalamy | Bakyt Karagulov | Kyrgyzstan | 1:02:53 | Best Cinematography | |
| 15 | El Nino Del Plumo | Rodrigo Herrera Rubio | Chile | 10:02 mins | Special Jury Mention | |
| 16 | The Inimitable Baltic Way | Laura Paukste | Lithuania | 27:17 mins | Best Editing | |
| 17 | El Encierro | Santiago Maza and Santiago Fabregas | Mexico | 1h 19m | ||
| 18 | La Matamoros | Delfina Vidal | Panama | 1h | ||
| 19 | Fidel | Estela Bravo | Cuba | 3h 26m | ||
| 20 | Haebaragi- Brand School Things and Children/Taekwan Do Everybody Likes | DPR Korea | 02:25 mins | |||
| 21 | The Inca - Cities in the Cloud | Paul Cooper | Peru | |||
| 22 | Legend of Kharibulbul | Mikael Silkberg | Azerbaijan | 40:52 mins | Best Ideation | |
| 23 | La Primera Dama De La Revolution | Andrea Kalin | Costa Rica | 1:11:00 | ||
| 24 | Morocco's Bollywood Dream | Abdeliah El Jaouhary | Morocco | 45:51 mins | ||
| 25 | Home to Sixteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Ethiopia | 29:52 mins | |||
| 26 | Arando En La Memoria-Plowing Into Memory | Goar Sánchez | Venezuela | 50:03 mins | ||
| 27 | Story of Jingdezhen and Me | Chen Yunmei | China | 09:00 mins | Best Script Writing | |
| 28 | Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park | Kinley Penjor | Bhutan | 13:48 mins | ||
| 29 | El Salvador Untamed | Nigel Marven | El Salvador | 50:59 mins | Best Documentary | |
| 30 | Rakshak | Emad Shaikh | India | 46:29 mins | Special Jury Mention | |
| 31 | Under The Same Sky | Sutapa Das Choudhury | India | 26:24mins | ||
| 32 | RE BASOTHO! | Justice Motsamai | Lesotho | 56:59mins | ||
| 33 | BHAGIRATH THE SANDMAN | Dr. Satyam Bhaskar | India | 23:50mins | ||
| 34 | THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE IN MY LIFE | Dimple Salwan | India | 22:25mins | ||
| 35 | DEVI MEMORIES | Dimple Salwan | India | 09:01mins | ||
| 36 | Let us understand Autism | Neeta Banga | India | 28:46mins | ||
| 37 | Lithium Batteries (the flip side of technology) | Amit Kumar Sonker | India | 07:23mins | ||
| 38 | Jungle Jigsaw: The Uncanny Mystery | Nitisha Kaila | India | 09:02mins | ||
| 39 | Abhivyanjana | Neha Dutta | India | 09:51mins | ||
| 40 | The Saga of a Braveheart | Maya Chandra | India | 49mins | Best Script writing | |
| 41 | Dr.Rajkumar : An Analysis of a Phenomenon | Maya Chandra | India | 55 minutes | ||
| 42 | The Krishna Cosmic Circle of life | Maya Chandra | India | 25 minutes | Best Documentary | |
| 43 | Jainism-Ancient Religion, Modern Relevance | Maya Chandra | India | 27.5 minutes | Special Jury Mention | |
| 44 | Loin Loom-Weaving in Arunachal Pradesh | Maya Chandra | India | 28 minutes | ||
| 45 | Borders Create Widows | Maya Chandra | India | 19 minutes | ||
| 46 | Two Lives, 2 Stories - Pompe Foundation | Maya Chandra | India | 7:50 minutes | ||
| 47 | Tiranga | Maya Chandra | India | 6:40 minutes | Best Cinematography | |
| 48 | Laments of the Past | Maya Chandra | India | 6:24 minutes | ||
| 49 | Aharya | Maya Chandra | India | 15:25 minutes | ||
| 50 | The Valley of Love | Maya Chandra | India | 15 minutes | ||
| 51 | PEACE NOTES: THE JOURNEY OF AN ORCHESTRA | Maya Chandra | India | 22:48 minutes | Best Script Writing | |
| 52 | Chuvannavanampady | Joseph Mundackal | India | 14:57 minutes | ||
| 53 | MADELET | Nebil Özgentürk | Türkiye | 46:51 minutes | ||
| 54 | Under the Walnut Tree | Begüm Aksoy | Türkiye | 23:08 minutes | ||
| 55 | Abhyudaya: The Rise of Future | Siddhi Singh | India | 09:49 minutes | ||
| 56 | मिट्टी की खुशबू राष्ट्र मुहिम | Hira Amit Rohilla | India | 07:10 minutes | ||
| 57 | Paakhi | Aditya Awasthi | India | 12:51 minutes | Best Documentary & Best Ideation | |
| 58 | Documentary on Umhang Lake | Cassandra Rimaia Pajat | India | 14:19 minutes | Best Editing | |
| 59 | Prof. Dr. Parin Somani’s Care for Humanity | Dr. Parin Somani | India | 04:58 minutes | ||
| 60 | Prof. Dr. Parin Somani’s Care for Humanity | Dr. Parin Somani | India | 19:54 minutes | ||
| 61 | HORONA DURANLAR (A JOURNEY TO THE BLACKSEA) |
Bahriye Kabadayı Dal | Türkiye | 49 minutes | ||
| 62 | THE UNKNOWN STORY OF FATMA KAYACI | Orahan Tekeoglu | Türkiye | 40:04 minutes | ||
| 63 | Independencia 100 POR 100 | Daniel Camargo | Brazil | 1:23 hrs |



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