WWI Celebrate Cinema 2026, Impact of Big Screen Cinema

Whistling Woods International Presents Celebrate Cinema ’26: Where Big Stories Meet the Big Screen

Whistling Woods International (WWI) is bringing back its annual celebration of cinema, Celebrate Cinema ’26, on October 8 and 9, 2026. Centred around the theme “Impact of Big Screen Cinema,” the two-day festival will bring together celebrated names from Indian cinema, filmmakers, industry leaders and creative practitioners for conversations, panel discussions, workshops, exhibits and screenings.

This year, Celebrate Cinema ’26 explores the enduring impact of the big screen while examining how cinema continues to evolve alongside changing audiences, emerging technologies and new forms of storytelling.

With major global releases such as Spider-Man and The Odyssey putting the theatrical experience and the power of the big screen firmly in focus, Celebrate Cinema ’26 will also explore the changing global cinema landscape and what the future holds for theatrical entertainment.

Highlights of the Festival

Leading voices from Indian Cinema:

The festival will feature conversations with leading names from Indian cinema, including Hema Malini Ji and Salim Arif, who will pay tribute to the legacy of Dharmendra Ji; Rana Daggubati in conversation; and Jyoti Deshpande, President – Jio Studios and Producer of Dhurandhar, in a fireside chat with Subhash Ghai.

The Global Cinema Landscape

Exploring the evolving world of theatrical cinema, Shony Panjikaran of Sony Pictures and Sanjay Pisharody of Warner Bros. Discovery will discuss “The Big Screen: Why Cinema Still Matters,” bringing perspectives from the global film distribution landscape. The conversation will also look at major titles such as Spider-Man and The Odyssey and the role of theatrical releases in shaping the future of cinema.

Cinema & AI

A special conversation will bring together Rajesh Mapuskar, Mandar of Neural Garage, Naren Kachroo of Google, Antara Lahiri of Adobe and Sanket Shah of InVideo to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming filmmaking, creativity and the future of cinema.

Meet and Greet

Sonakshi Sinha, Zaheer Iqbal, Vishal Rana & Karan Rawal, and Rannvijay Singha will be present for a special meet-and-greet and interaction session with students.

Closing Ceremony

The festival will conclude with Imtiaz Ali and the team of Main Vaapas Aaunga, bringing the two-day celebration to a close.

Event Details at a Glance

What: Celebrate Cinema ’26 – Impact of Big Screen Cinema

Where: Whistling Woods International, Mumbai

Host: Whistling Woods International

Duration: 2 Days – October 8 & 9, 2026

Format: Celebrity Conversations | Panel Discussions | Workshops | Exhibits | Screenings

Who Should Attend: Cinema enthusiasts, filmmakers, aspiring media and entertainment professionals, students, creators and industry professionals

Registration: https://whistlingwoods.co.in/celebratecinema-2026/index.php