Creative Minds of Tomorrow 2025 enthralls with master-classes and ceremonies hosted by the noted film critic Murtaza Ali Khan

Panjim — The fifth edition of Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) concluded in Panaji under the aegis of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), with a grand celebration of India’s emerging cinematic talent. The event including opening and closing award ceremonies, as well as master-classes was hosted and moderated by noted film critic Murtaza Ali Khan, lending the proceedings a polished, insightful, and celebratory ambience.

Masterclass 1 (1)

Murtaza Ali Khan hosting the closing awards ceremony of CMOT 2025;

In a first for CMOT, all formal ceremonies from the inaugural welcome to the finale were anchored by Murtaza Ali Khan, whose deep understanding of global and Indian cinema helped set the tone for the entire festival. He also moderated master-class sessions conducted during the programme by acclaimed mentors Kiran Deohans, Supriya Nayak, Bharat Bala, GK Tirunavukarasu, and Stefano Casertano giving young participants rare direct access to cinematic luminaries.

The CMOT 2025 finale at the Marriott resort featured film screenings for the Grand Jury and Great Grand Jury, followed by jury deliberations and an award function attended by participants, mentors, jury members, and senior officials from the film fraternity.

Senior dignitaries, including the Joint Secretaries of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan and Dr. K. K. Nirala along with NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum and ShortsTV CEO Carter Pilcher, felicitated the juries and paid tribute to the young filmmakers.

Certificates were also presented to all participating teams at the ceremony, in the presence of ministry officials, NFDC leadership, IFFI representatives and ShortsTV dignitaries. The ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks by NFDC General Manager Sh. Ajay Dhoke.

About

At NexGen Consulting, we specialize in strategic media planning that helps brands secure the best possible coverage—across both digital and print media. With a focus on visibility, credibility, and audience engagement, we ensure your message reaches the right people, at the right time, through the right platforms.

As a results-driven media consulting agency, we work closely with businesses, startups, and professionals to build strong media presence and brand authority. Whether you need features in top publications, digital news coverage, influencer reach, or targeted content placement, our team ensures maximum impact with smart, data-backed planning.