Goa

By Pickle May 10, 2026

The western Indian state of Goa is more than just a popular tourist destination and location for Bollywood film shoots. It has a growing film industry that produces a handful of significant films every year focusing on local stories. Goa hosts the International Film Festival of India, which is jointly organized by the National Film Development Corporation and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG).

ESG also handles the Goa government’s single-widow clearance system for film shoots. Although institutional support is at a nascent state, Goa, with new facilities in the pipeline, is positioning itself as a future film production hub.

The first full-length Konkani film, Sukhi Konn, was made a couple of years after India’s Independence but was never released. The first Konkani film to hit the screen was Mogacho Anvvdo (Pangs of Love), directed by Al Jerry Braganza in 1950. The director also played a key onscreen role. The date of the film’s release, April 24, is celebrated every year as Konkani Cinema Day.

The Konkani film, Paltadacho Munis (The Man Beyond the Bridge), written and directed by Laxmikant Shetgaonkar, won a FIPRESCI Prize of the Discovery section of the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.

Other Konkani films that have earned accolades in recent years are Miransha Naik’s Juze and Bardroy Barretto’s Nachom-ia-Kumpasar, a tribute to the unsung Goan musicians of the 1960s.

Ease of Filming in Goa :

Goa offers a picture perfect setting with its exotic, multi-hued beauty. It is culturally vibrant, and filming is hassle- free with low production costs, easy modes of communication and no language barriers. One can choose from a diverse range of locations and seasons, each with their own moods, offering breath-taking natural visual masterpieces. Beaches, rivers, temples, churches, a mix of modern and old European architecture, forts and heritage sites, all add to the splendour of shooting in Goa.

The Regulation of Film Shooting Act 2021 of Goa provides guidelines for easing the filming process and given a insight on the applicable fees for it. It is mandatory for all filmmakers to obtain prior film shooting permission from the ESG.

Single window permission system

ESG provides an unified single-window system for all necessary approvals including permissions from local authorities and also assists filmmakers by coordinating with police, traffic, and other departments. The main objective of the Act is:

To regulate and promote film shooting activities in the state of Goa.
To streamline the process of obtaining permissions for the purpose of carrying out film shooting in the State of Goa.
To provide film makers with a time bound mechanism for the purpose of grant of permissions for carrying out film shooting activities.
To ensure protection of public order, local culture, and environment during shoots.

Shooting Fees:

Shoots require payment of prescribed fees.
Local registered Line Producers shall be eligible for a 50% concession on the total applicable fees, exclusive of GST.
Goan registered Producers shall be eligible for a 90% concession on the total applicable fees, exclusive of GST.

Conditions for Shooting:

Shoots must not disturb public life, deface, defile, destroy or damage heritage sites, environment, or religious sentiments.
Special additional conditions may apply for shoots depending on their location for instance for shoots within forest areas, beaches, protected areas and Government properties.

Promotion of Goa and Penalties:
The Act encourages filming that positively portrays Goa’s image and culture. Unauthorized shooting or violation of rules can lead to seizure of material used for film shooting, fines, cancellation of permission, and/or other legal action.