WWI’s Celebrate Cinema 2026 brings together over 4,000 participants

October 15, 2026 /Posted byPrajwal EW / 0

Whistling Woods International (WWI) hosted the 14th edition of Celebrate Cinema from October 7 to 9, bringing together over 4,000 students, industry professionals and filmmakers to explore the impact of big-screen cinema.

The three-day festival, themed ‘Impact of Big-Screen Cinema’, featured discussions, masterclasses, workshops and technology demonstrations examining cinema’s cultural influence and evolving production practices.

The festival opened with Aamir Khan, Aparna Purohit and the team behind Sitaare Zameen Par discussing storytelling, audiences and the theatrical experience. More than 15 industry experts participated in discussions, alongside over eight masterclasses and more than 50 workshops.

Speakers included Hema Malini, Imtiaz Ali, Rana Daggubati, Jyoti Deshpande, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Sriram Raghavan and Subhash Ghai, along with representatives from Google, Adobe, Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Focus on technology and filmmaking

Sessions covered theatrical distribution, the making of the Dhurandhar films and the use of artificial intelligence in filmed entertainment. Workshops explored AI-powered filmmaking, editing, visual effects, colour grading, screenwriting, production design, animation, photography, acting, sound and music production.

The Immersive Studio featured virtual reality, motion capture, projection mapping, interactive games and generative visuals, demonstrating technology-driven approaches to creative production.

Actor Rana Daggubati highlighted cinema’s ability to bring people together, describing the theatre as a shared space where social differences do not matter.

Tributes to Dharmendra and Nana Patekar

A key event was the inauguration by Hema Malini of an exhibition honouring veteran actor Dharmendra. A tribute featuring Malini, Subhash Ghai and Salim Arif included an audiovisual presentation created by WWI students celebrating the actor’s contribution to Indian cinema.

Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister of Cultural Affairs, announced mid-term scholarships in Dharmendra’s name for academically excelling WWI students. Shelar also paid tribute to veteran actor Nana Patekar for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Industry and education

Subhash Ghai, founder and chairman of WWI, said technology would continue to change filmmaking, but storytelling and emotion would remain central to cinema. He said the festival aimed to help young filmmakers develop their craft and create stories for theatrical audiences.

The festival concluded with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali in conversation with Ghai. Ali spoke about WWI’s creative environment and the importance of connecting aspiring filmmakers with industry professionals.

Meghna Ghai Puri, president of WWI, said Celebrate Cinema connected education with industry experience by bringing students into contact with filmmakers and emerging technologies while highlighting the shared experience of theatrical cinema.

The festival reaffirmed WWI’s focus on connecting film education with industry practices and preparing aspiring filmmakers for the evolving cinema landscape.

Also Read: University of Colorado Denver to establish India campus in Hyderabad

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WWI’s Celebrate Cinema 2026 brings together over 4,000 participants

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