By Haryana is set to make its debut on the state’s cultural calendar with the launch of the Haryana Film Festival-2026, a first-of-its-kind state-level event aimed at promoting cinema, arts and the region’s rich cultural heritage. Scheduled to be held from November 12 to 15, 2026, the festival is part of the Haryana government’s broader vision to position the state as a hub for filmmaking and creative industries.
The initiative, announced earlier by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini during his Budget speech, has now entered the planning stage. A high-level review meeting was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture Department Director General K. Makarand Pandurang to finalize preparations for the four-day event.
Senior officials from the Department of Art and Cultural Affairs, Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts (DLC SUPVA), Rohtak, along with filmmakers, cultural experts and academicians, participated in the meeting to discuss the festival’s framework and execution.
To ensure smooth planning and coordination, the government has constituted a dedicated core committee. The panel will oversee every aspect of the event, including programme selection, coordination with participating institutions and agencies, promotional activities, logistics and overall event management.
The Haryana Film Festival-2026 is envisioned as a nationally and internationally recognised cultural event that will showcase the state’s growing contribution to cinema while celebrating its folk traditions, literature, performing arts and cultural heritage. Officials said the festival will provide a platform to highlight Haryana’s creative identity before audiences from across India and abroad.
The event is expected to attract filmmakers, directors, actors, producers, technicians, scholars and representatives from cultural organisations, creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange within the film industry. It will also feature programmes designed to encourage emerging talent and provide young filmmakers with exposure to industry professionals.
Officials believe the festival will play an important role in strengthening Haryana’s cultural ecosystem and attracting greater interest in the state’s film sector. Beyond showcasing films, the initiative is expected to encourage investment in creative industries, promote local storytelling and open new avenues for artists and aspiring filmmakers.
The review meeting was attended by DLC SUPVA Vice-Chancellor Dr. Amit Arya, filmmaker Atul Gangwar, Additional Director Vivek Kalia, Joint Director Neeraj, Project Director Dr. Pawan Arya, Registrar Dr. Gunjan Malik, faculty member Deepti Khurana, Keshav and other senior officials.
