*WAVES International Short Film Festival Goa India 3.0 kicks off with Grandeur in Panaji*
*Panaji, Goa | May 7, 2026*: The WAVES International Short Film Festival Goa India 3.0 was inaugurated with great enthusiasm and cinematic fervour today at the Entertainment Society of Goa, marking the beginning of a four-day celebration of global storytelling through short films.
The festival, being held from 7th to 10th May 2026 at Maquinez Palace Auditorium I & II, was officially inaugurated by Damu Naik, President of BJP Goa Pradesh and Vasant Ashok Agshikar and Deputy Mayor of Corporation of the City of Panaji in the presence of filmmakers, artists, and cinema enthusiasts.
This year’s edition of the festival received an overwhelming 632 entries, out of which 214 films have been officially selected for screening over the four days, showcasing diverse storytelling and global perspectives.
A special highlight remains the strong regional representation, including over 40 Konkani films, celebrating Goa’s cultural identity.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Damu Naik said, “I congratulate the entire team of WAVES International Short Film Festival for putting up this festival and I am sure that the WAVES will grow more and will definitely become a brand”.
“On behalf of CCP I welcome this festival. Panaji has been an administrative hub but as CCP we are very pleased to have such festivals in Panaji, where the culture is displayed. And it is gives me immense please to see the films of the local inmates are being screened in this festival. This is a great platform for the film fraternity to showcase their work. I wish all the success to WISFF 3.0,” said Vasant Ashok Agshikar.
The festival also brings together noted industry professionals and creative voices, including Rafey Mahmood, an award-winning cinematographer known for films like Ankhon Dekhi and Pagglait; Akshay Parvatkar, a Goa-born filmmaker recognized for his impactful short films rooted in local narratives; and Jojo Dsouza, a filmmaker and creative head with over two decades of experience, who is also exploring the integration of AI in filmmaking workflows.
The festival features films in a wide array of languages including Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Rajasthani, Assamese, Marathi, Kashmiri, English, Odia, Haryanvi, Portuguese, Gujarati, Spanish, Persian, Indonesian, Bhojpuri, and Turkish, reinforcing its identity as a truly international platform.
With an exciting lineup of screenings and interactions scheduled over the coming days, the WAVES International Short Film Festival Goa India 3.0 promises to be a vibrant confluence of creativity, culture, and cinematic excellence.
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