Goafest 2025: Where Creativity, Collaboration, and Culture Ignite!

Goafest 2025 Returns to Goa – Bigger, Bolder, and Brighter Than Ever!

The advertising world’s most awaited creative carnival is making its grand return to the sun-kissed shores of Goa! Mark your calendars because from May 21st to 23rd, 2025, the 18th edition of Goafest will bring together the brightest minds in advertising, media, and marketing for an unparalleled experience of learning, networking, and celebration.

And here’s the biggest plot twist of the year—Goafest 2025 isn’t just coming back; it’s levelling up! With the introduction of the Goafest Village at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon, this edition promises multiple venues, immersive experiences, and never-seen-before industry conversations.

What’s New? Enter: ‘Goafest Village’!

This year, Goafest is breaking barriers with a fluid, adaptive, and experiential setup that allows attendees to explore different facets of the industry all under one roof. The new "Goafest Village" concept ensures a dynamic blend of:

✅ Panel discussions with global marketing minds
✅ Workshops redefining digital advertising and storytelling
✅ Tech-driven brand activations
✅ Networking zones that spark collaborations
✅ Creative showcases to fuel inspiration

And yes, Amazon MX Player is the Title Sponsor, adding its entertainment and tech prowess to elevate the festival experience!

Theme of the Year: Ignite _______

The 2025 theme, "Ignite _____," is designed to spark groundbreaking conversations across advertising, technology, creativity, and brand evolution. Every discussion, keynote, and session will fill in the blank with ideas that fuel disruption, transformation, and progress.

The vision? To ignite a movement that shapes the future of marketing, media, and advertising like never before!

The ABBY Awards Powered by One Show – The Crown Jewel of Creativity

No Goafest is complete without THE ABBY Awards Powered by One Show! The region’s most prestigious creative awards will once again honour the campaigns, brands, and agencies that redefined advertising and set new benchmarks of excellence.

From groundbreaking digital campaigns to TVCs that stole hearts, the ABBYs will recognize the most outstanding work across categories, making this a night where the best of the best take centre stage!

Voices from the Industry: What the Leaders Say

A Homecoming for Creativity

Prasanth Kumar, President, AAAI & CEO, GroupM South Asia, expressed his enthusiasm:
"Goafest has always stood as a beacon of creativity, innovation, and connection. After last year’s momentous edition in Mumbai, we are thrilled to return to the vibrant shores of Goa, the birthplace of its illustrious legacy. Centered around this year’s theme, ‘Ignite _____,’ the festival aspires to kindle groundbreaking conversations, ignite visionary perspectives, and illuminate the path forward for advertising and marketing. This edition introduces the Goafest Village—a bold, immersive concept designed as a nexus for collaboration, networking, and the free exchange of ideas. It promises to redefine how the industry comes together to celebrate brilliance and spark meaningful dialogues about the future of our craft."

A Festival That Pushes Creative Boundaries

Rana Barua, President, The Advertising Club & Group CEO, Havas India, South East & North Asia, added:
"Taking Goafest back to Goa is a celebration in itself. The festival has always been synonymous with creativity, collaboration, and industry excellence. With ‘Ignite _____’ as our theme, we are setting the stage for ideas that push the boundaries of creativity. The ABBY Awards Powered by One Show continue to raise the bar, and this year’s edition will be even more inspiring, bringing together the brightest minds in the industry."

Introducing the Goafest Village

Jaideep Gandhi, Chairman, the Goafest 2025 Organising Committee & Founder, of Another Idea, stated:
"Year after year, Goafest has set new industry benchmarks, gaining prominence beyond South Asia. This year, we introduce Goafest Village, new initiatives, and avenues for attendees to connect, engage, learn, and evolve. Staying true to our theme ‘Ignite _____,’ we aim to foster collaboration and elevate India’s creative and marketing ecosystem globally, with Sam Balsara, Sundar Swamy, and Shashi Sinha as the torchbearers, guiding us, inspiring us, and pushing us to make Goafest bigger and better."

Conversations That Transform the Industry

Mohit Joshi, Co-chair, the Goafest 2025 Organising Committee & CEO, of Havas Media Network India, emphasized:
"Technology and data are reshaping advertising, demanding agility, creativity, and purpose. At Goafest 2025, the industry’s sharpest minds will ‘ignite’ powerful conversations - challenging norms, sparking innovation, and shaping the future. We will curate discussions that don’t just inform but transform, fueling ideas that drive real impact."

Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

Ajay Kakar, Head - Corporate Branding, Adani Group, shared his thoughts:
"Goafest has always been a platform where the brightest minds in advertising, media, and marketing converge to exchange ideas and push creative boundaries. Bringing the festival back to Goa this year is about rekindling the energy and spirit that makes Goafest truly special. With a larger-than-ever scale, immersive experiences, and an inspiring lineup of industry leaders, Goafest 2025 will be a space where innovation meets opportunity. We are excited to welcome the entire industry to Goa for three days of learning, networking, and, most importantly, celebrating creativity."

Amazon MX Player Joins the Party!

As the Presenting Sponsor, Amazon MX Player is excited to be part of this creative extravaganza. Aruna Daryanani, Director, Amazon MX Player, stated:
"At Amazon MX Player, our mission is to deliver high-quality entertainment for free while offering advertisers unmatched reach, engagement, and innovative advertising solutions. Partnering with Goafest 2025 as the Presenting Sponsor is a testament to this commitment. This year’s theme, ‘Ignite ____,’ perfectly aligns with our vision of pushing the boundaries of content and entertainment. Goafest stands as a beacon of excellence in the advertising and media landscape, and we are thrilled to be part of this dynamic celebration of ideas and talent."

Why You Can't-Miss Goafest 2025