"Celebrating the Future of Cinema" was set as the festival's theme and registrations were opened in early October 2017.
[1] Filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh, who was appointed head of the jury of the Indian panorama section, resigned from the position on 14 November after alleging that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, that co-organizes the festival, dropped two films S Durga and Nude from screening in the Indian Panorama section, despite being chosen by the jury and without consulting them.
[10] Three committees — Preview, Steering and Technical — were constituted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting prior to inviting films for the festival.
The Preview Committee, headed by filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri was set up to shortlist films for the festival.
Filmmakers Jahnu Barua and Nagesh Kukunoor were named conveners of the Steering and Technical Committees.