The next edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards, in 2026, is going to take place throughout Asia during the months of August and September, with the award organisers intending to pay tribute to the legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra during the event.
While addressing PTI, Andre Timmins, IIFA Founder Director, said that the forthcoming IIFA Awards would follow the global nature of its predecessor editions by hosting them in various nations and not just one country. “We want to work with not one country but several countries,” Timmins told PTI, outlining plans that include digital awards, masterclasses, and curated screenings alongside the main ceremony.
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Global expansion and new categories
The 2026 version would also have a special feature of introducing a new award of international best film, indicating that the organisers plan on including movies of other nations in the IIFA ambit.
Organisers are also expanding the event’s footprint through initiatives such as IIFA Digital Awards for streaming content, IIFA Connects, monthly gatherings for the movie industry in Mumbai; and IIFA Honours, acknowledging the enduring contributions to cinema.
An important element in the upcoming edition would include paying homage to Dharmendra, with a screening of all his significant movies, most notably Sholay.
Taking Indian cinema to the world
The IIFA Awards, an initiative by Wizcraft International, have been centered on bringing Indian films to the attention of the international community. From its first outing in London in 2000, it has taken place in destinations like Singapore, Dubai, Toronto, Madrid, and even Abu Dhabi.
Timmins reiterated that the core idea behind IIFA remains unchanged, positioning cinema as a form of cultural influence and expanding opportunities for collaboration and business. The awards’ 25th year was celebrated in Jaipur earlier, but moving the event overseas continues to be central to its vision.
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Looking back, moving forward
As part of its broader programming, IIFA is also planning screenings connected to the upcoming biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and featuring Jaafar Jackson. Reflecting on Wizcraft’s journey, Timmins recalled the landmark 1996 India visit of Michael Jackson as a defining cultural moment that shaped the company’s global outlook.
With new categories, expanded programming and a multi-country format, IIFA 2026 signals a broader ambition—to position Indian cinema within a truly international awards ecosystem.
