Telangana Announces Landmark Multi-Year Global Partnership with IIFA to Elevate India’s Creative Economy
Ashwini Gambo
THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN FILM ACADEMY (IIFA) WEEKEND & AWARDS ANNOUNCES LANDMARK MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA
In a historic step for India’s cultural diplomacy and creative economy, the Government of Telangana, under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri A. Revanth Reddy, announces a landmark multi-year partnership with the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend & Awards and IIFA Utsavam. This first-of-its-kind collaboration unites Indian cinema on a global stage while positioning Telangana as the cultural and creative capital of India.
Forged at the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025, the transformative partnership introduces a powerful dual global strategy of ‘Taking Telangana to the World at IIFA’s 26th Edition 2026’ and ‘Bringing the World to Telangana through IIFA Utsavam, Hyderabad 2026–2028.’
‘Bringing the World to Telangana at IIFA Utsavam Hyderabad 2026 to 2028’: Hyderabad will host the celebration of Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema for three consecutive years. IIFA Utsavam is expected to attract thousands of visitors annually and spotlight Telangana as the cultural capital of South India, a rising hub for film-led tourism, and a high-value destination for global creative industries, further boosting the State’s hospitality, events, retail, digital media, and film-production sectors.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, Sri A. Revanth Reddy commented on the occasion, saying, “Following the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025, which is our invitation to the world to collaborate, innovate and help build a future-ready State, Telangana is proud to announce a transformative partnership with IIFA, one of India’s most influential cultural institutions. Telangana is India’s youngest State and one filled with extraordinary opportunities, and today we stand more confident than ever as global partners and stakeholders join us in this journey. Telangana stands ready to welcome global partners, filmmakers, creators and investors to experience our culture, our confidence and our spirit of ambition. Through IIFA 2026, we will take the story of Telangana to the world, and through IIFA Utsavam in Hyderabad from 2026 to 2028, we will bring the world back to our State. By hosting IIFA Utsavam for three consecutive years, we aim to cement our position as the cultural capital of South India and a rising global hub for film-led tourism and the creative economy. This partnership marks a defining milestone in India’s cultural diplomacy, where cinema becomes the bridge between Telangana and the world, and Hyderabad emerges as a global centre for creativity, innovation and soft-power leadership. Telangana Rising is unstoppable. Come, join the rise.”
A defining moment for both Telangana and India, this partnership marks one of the most ambitious cultural, creative, and economic collaborations ever undertaken by an Indian State. Inspired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri A. Revanth Reddy’s vision showcased at the Telangana Rising Global Summit, where he declared Telangana ‘unstoppable’ and set the goal of transforming the State into a USD 1 trillion economy by 2034 and contributing 10% to India’s GDP by 2047: this alliance positions IIFA as a catalyst in that larger mission. Designed to amplify Telangana’s cultural voice, position Hyderabad as India’s creative and innovation epicentre, and support the State’s goals for tourism, investment, and creative-economy expansion, the partnership aligns directly with the Summit’s roadmap for a future-ready Telangana. IIFA will work closely with the Government of Telangana to promote Film in Telangana as the nation’s most film-friendly initiative, create youth skill-development programmes with TASK, expand the creative economy through the IIFA Think Tank and Friends of IIFA, strengthen international cultural diplomacy, and elevate Telangana’s global identity as a modern, aspirational, future-ready State poised for international leadership.
Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary for Special Projects (SPEED) and Investment Cell, Chief Minister’s Office and Special Chief Secretary, Tourism, Culture & Sports, Government of Telangana, Hyderabad, added saying, “This partnership with IIFA is fully aligned with Telangana’s Tourism Policy 2025-2030, which envisions making our State India’s most preferred destination for culture, creativity, and global engagement. Through IIFA, this vision comes alive, merging our heritage with cinematic storytelling and innovation to project Telangana to the world. Hosting IIFA Utsavam for three consecutive years will redefine Hyderabad as the cultural and filmmaking capital of South India. It strengthens our long-term goals under the Chief Minister’s Vision 2034, expanding the creative economy, empowering youth through skill development with TASK, advancing ‘Film in Telangana’ as a national benchmark, and deepening international cultural diplomacy. This partnership is a transformational opportunity for Telangana and for India, a moment where cinema, culture, economy, and soft power converge to shape the future.”
A global cultural super brand for 25 years, IIFA has built an iconic legacy across world capitals including London, New York, Amsterdam, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Madrid, becoming one of India’s most influential cultural exports. With massive worldwide viewership, multi-billion-rupee media valuation, significant destination-branding impact, and remarkable soft-power influence through cinema, IIFA remains an unparalleled international platform. By partnering with IIFA, Telangana is all set to join an elite circle of global destinations that have leveraged cultural storytelling to expand their international footprint.
Andre Timmins, Co-Founder IIFA commented on the occasion, saying, “Under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, Sri A. Revanth Reddy, this partnership marks a historic milestone, not just for IIFA, but for the global story of Indian cinema. Together, we are creating a first-of-its-kind platform that unites India’s creative industries, elevates Telangana’s global identity, and showcases the State as the cultural and innovation capital of the country. Our commitment is to serve Telangana’s long-term vision, to amplify its cultural voice to the world, position Hyderabad as a global creative hub, strengthen tourism and investment, champion the ‘Film in Telangana’ initiative, and create enduring legacy programmes for youth and creators. At our 26th Edition of IIFA Weekend & Awards in 2026, Telangana will command a powerful international presence. And through IIFA Utsavam in Hyderabad from 2026 to 2028, we will bring the world to Telangana, using the universal language of cinema to celebrate its dynamism, talent, and future-forward ambition. This is more than a partnership, it is a shared mission to build a legacy that resonates across generations.”
Stay tuned for more updates and details:
Website https://www.iifa.com/iifa-2025
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iifa/?hl=en
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IIFA/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/IIFA
ABOUT IIFA (INTERNATIONAL INDIAN FILM ACADEMY) AND IIFA UTSAVAM-
IIFA is dedicated to building bridges across cinemas, businesses, communities and nations, creating everyone’s dream: “One People. One World”. IIFA is the most appreciated South Asian film academy and a global platform that gives the Indian film fraternity an opportunity to reach audiences in international territories. The alliances made via the platform of IIFA provide huge benefits and gain to India and an equally important objective is to create similar benefits in the host country. The aim is to establish a system of mutual benefit to both India as well as the host destinations by boosting tourism, economic development, trade, culture, cross-border investments and film co-productions. The IIFA Weekend & Awards each year travel to new, exciting and beautiful destinations, taking the film fraternity to unite and celebrate the best of Indian film and culture, thereby taking Indian Cinema and India to a wider audience.
FOLLOW for further details on IIFA UTSAVAM 2026:
Website IIFA Utsavam 2024
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iifautsavam?igsh=MW9jeDN0Y3ZpMjR6dw==
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/NtzrjV3Gxt6GU6eD/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
YouTube https://youtube.com/@IIFAUtsavam?si=4F8c1VXjZgIe6ld-
IIFA Utsavam serves as a cohesive platform uniting the four primary industries, highlighting their diverse talents, creativity, and narratives to a worldwide audience. The event is poised to celebrate the accomplishments and successes of South Indian cinema, with a special emphasis on the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada film industries. IIFA Utsavam is set to captivate audiences with an extraordinary line-up of performances, awards, and cinematic experiences. The first day of the Multifaceted South Indian Cinematic Extravaganza will be dedicated to Tamil & Malayalam language awards and performances, while the second will be for Telugu & Kannada.
