31st Kolkata International Film Festival Opens; 215 Films from 39 Countries to Screen Across 21 Theatres

Kolkata Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the 31st edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) on Thursday, November 6. The week-long festival will showcase 215 films from 39 countries across 21 theatres in the city, with Palestine and legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak taking centre stage this year.

The 2025 edition, running from November 6 to 13, has Poland as its focus country. The inauguration ceremony at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium saw veteran actor-turned-MP Shatrughan Sinha and acclaimed singer Arati Mukherjee being conferred with the Banga Bibhushan Samman, West Bengal’s highest civilian honour.

Cinema as a bridge beyond borders
“This year we shine the spotlight on a new section — Beyond Borders, with films exploring themes of displacement and migration,” said KIFF Chairperson Gautam Ghose, adding that cinema continues to serve as a “beacon amidst chaos” in an increasingly divided world.

Filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh, known for Kahaani, called cinema “the identity of Kolkata,” saying, “Kolkata itself is an actor — the city lives and breathes cinema.”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee emphasised the festival’s global spirit and inclusivity, urging greater recognition for regional and rare films. “Cinema connects the world and humanity because cinema has no boundaries. The world is one, and we are one,” she said.

The inaugural screening featured the Uttam Kumar–Suchitra Sen classic Saptapadi.

Honouring cinematic legends
First held in 1995, KIFF is among India’s oldest and most prestigious film festivals. This year, Palestinian films like Songe (Passing Dreams) by Rashid Masharawi and Palestine 36 by Annemarie Jacir will be screened.

The festival also celebrates the centenary of Ritwik Ghatak, with screenings of his masterpieces including Ajantrik, Meghe Dhaka Tara, Komal Gandhar, and Subarnarekha. A special Ritwik Ghatak Memorial Conversation between filmmakers Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Anup Singh will further honour his legacy.

Centenary tributes will also commemorate Richard Burton, Sam Peckinpah, Santosh Dutta, Salil Chowdhury, and Raj Khosla. Films by Shyam Benegal, David Lynch, Robert Redford, Claudia Cardinale, and others will feature as part of special retrospectives.

Adding to the highlights, Ramesh Sippy, the director of Sholay, will deliver the Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture on November 7 — one of KIFF’s most anticipated annual events.