248 films from 39 countries selected; second list to be announced in November

Jaipur: The 19th Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF 2027) has announced its first list of 248 nominated films from 39 countries, with artificial intelligence (AI)-created cinema emerging as a major attraction of the five-day festival scheduled to be held in Jaipur from January 8 to 12, 2027.

According to the organisers, the festival received 1,805 film submissions from 80 countries. The first selection comprises 119 Indian films and 129 international entries, including 14 student films. The festival aims to bring together filmmakers, students, creative professionals, technology innovators and cinema enthusiasts from across the world.

AI films to be a major attraction

A special highlight of JIFF 2027 will be its focus on AI-generated filmmaking, with 35 films included across categories such as AI Feature Fiction, AI Short Fiction, AI Documentary Short, AI Animation Short and AI Music Video.

The selected titles include Update (Germany), HAYDON: Patron Saint of the Obsessed (United States), The Scribe and the Swordsman (Japan), Flashover: The Burning Firefighter (South Korea), Before Dawn (India), Lost & Found (Cyprus), A Blank Page (Japan), Made with Love (South Korea), Only Love (China) and The Final Interview (India).

Other entries include The Insect Pandemic (India), The Way Out… (Vietnam), Setu (India), ORNEK (Kazakhstan), Le Drip (United States), Railbound (United States) and MAHABHARATA: A Cinematic Timeline (United Kingdom).

The AI Music Video category features DIVINE: Official Music Video and Lioness by Maansi T.

The organisers said AI technologies were creating new opportunities in filmmaking, animation, visual storytelling and music, enabling creators to experiment with visual concepts and production techniques that could previously be difficult or expensive to achieve. The festival will offer audiences an opportunity to explore these emerging approaches alongside conventional filmmaking.

Platform for filmmakers and emerging talent

Hanu Roj, founder director of JIFF, said the festival had consistently sought to put filmmakers first, encourage new talent and bring world cinema together on a common platform.

“Our special focus on AI films this year reflects our commitment to the changing landscape of cinema. Technology is creating new opportunities for filmmakers to transform their imagination into powerful visual experiences,” Roj said.

He added that the festival aimed to provide an international platform for established filmmakers, independent creators, young filmmakers, students and those experimenting with emerging technologies. JIFF 2027 would also encourage creative exchange, international collaboration and discussions on the future of filmmaking.

The first list spans several competition categories, including feature fiction, documentary feature, short fiction, documentary short, animation feature, animation short, AI films, student films, mobile films, advertising films, web series, music, songs and albums, and AI music videos.

Wide range of stories and genres

The Feature Fiction category includes Racer 18, Hisaab, Jockey, The Last Message, The City of Lost Things, Drishti, The Paper Flower, Nebula, Aakuti (Longing) and Horizon.

The Documentary Feature selection includes Our Colors Never Fade, Living 1 New Day, Air Risers, Welcome Home, Until Dawn, His Story, Stars Behind the Stars, Timeless, Khatoon, COUP 53, Dear Lara, Kalari Kid, Brunello, the Gracious Visionary, My Bee Family and Abesa Saliem.

The selected films explore themes ranging from human relationships, personal struggles and social experiences to cultural identity, nature, environmental concerns, heritage, memory, family and technological change.

While documentaries present real-life experiences and social issues, fiction and animation explore storytelling through characters, imagination and visual experimentation. The inclusion of AI-created works also reflects the evolving relationship between human creativity and emerging technology.

Rajendra Bora, JIFF spokesperson, said the special focus on AI-created films would be among the festival’s principal attractions.

“Jaipur is set to offer a distinctive opportunity to experience a substantial number of AI-created films together at one festival,” Bora said, adding that the event would encourage dialogue between traditional cinema and emerging technologies.

He said Jaipur would once again serve as a meeting point for filmmakers, creative professionals and cinema enthusiasts from India and abroad.

Second list due in November

The organisers said the second list of nominated films was scheduled to be announced in November 2026. The final screening programme and detailed schedule will be published on the festival’s official website.

They clarified that nomination does not guarantee a screening, as the screening committee will select a limited number of films for the final festival programme.

The 19th Jaipur International Film Festival will take place from January 8 to 12, 2027, in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

For details: Official JIFF website

First nominated list: JIFF 2027 – First List