Cinephiles in Chandigarh rejoice! The city is gearing up to host its first-ever international film festival, the Cinevesture International Film Festival (CIFF), kicking off on March 27th and running until March 31st.
This exciting cinematic extravaganza boasts a meticulously curated selection of over 67 films, encompassing a global spectrum.
From critically acclaimed world cinema to captivating Indian features, timeless classics, and thought-provoking shorts, CIFF promises a treasure trove for movie enthusiasts of all tastes.
The festival kicks off with a red carpet opening featuring the award-winning French culinary drama "The Taste of Things," starring the legendary Juliette Binoche. The festival concludes with a screening of South Korea's highest-grossing film of 2024, the chilling horror drama "Exhuma" (known internationally as "Pamyo").
Cinephiles can look forward to a diverse selection within the festival's various sections.
The World Cinema section showcases 24 award-winning international features, while India Unveiled brings 17 hidden gems from the vibrant Indian independent film scene.
Brief Encounters offers a platform for 27 exceptional short films, while a dedicated section caters to younger audiences with a delightful curation of children's films.
Tributes would also paid to cinematic giants through screenings of timeless classics by Satyajit Ray and Guru Dutt.
The festival boasts an impressive lineup of acclaimed films.
Recent Oscar winners hold a prominent place, with screenings of the Holocaust drama "The Zone of Interest," Palme d'Or winner "Monster" by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Brendan Fraser's transformative performance in "The Whale," and the powerful documentary "Seven Winters in Tehran".
Indian cinema is well-represented, with award-winning features and documentaries like the Marathi film "Sthal," Rima Das' Assamese film "Tora's Husband," and Gurvinder Singh's Punjabi feature "Adh Chanani Raat" gracing the screens.
Documentaries include Harjit Singh's exploration of the late Punjabi painter and writer Imroz, Lijo Jose Pellissery's critically acclaimed Malayalam film "Malaikottai Vaaliban," Sreemoyee Singh's "And, Towards Happy Alleys" (an ode to Iranian cinema), and Varun Grover's poignant short "Kiss." Riz Ahmed's captivating short "Dammi" is another highlight.
Adding to the star power, the festival promises appearances by renowned Indian personalities such as Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal, Roshan Mathew, Gulshan Devaiah, and filmmakers Hansal Mehta, Shekhar Kapur, Sudhir Mishra, and Tahira Kashyap Khurrana.
The opening and closing ceremonies will be held under the open sky at the Government Museum & Arts Gallery, Sector 10, the festival's central hub.
Three additional open-air screenings are planned, featuring classics like "Jalsaghar," "Kaagaz Ke Phool," and a special 30th-anniversary recut of "The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone" by Francis Ford Coppola.
A unique experiential cinema exhibition celebrating the centenary of legendary actors Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, curated in collaboration with the National Film Archives of India and students of Chandigarh College of Architecture, will be showcased at the Rose Garden Underpass.
Children get their turn in the spotlight with daily morning screenings of international children's films at Cinepolis Jagat, catering to ages 10-17.
The inaugural edition of CIFF goes beyond mere screenings, offering a comprehensive platform for the film industry.
Organized by Cinevesture Pvt Ltd founder and CEO Nina Lath, the festival features CIFF/market, a dedicated space facilitating business opportunities and fostering connections within the craft of filmmaking.
Over 15 curated projects by prominent Indian filmmakers will be presented, alongside workshops, masterclasses, and stimulating panel discussions.
"Cinevesture International Film Festival is envisioned as a bridge between audiences and producers," said Nina Lath. "Our diverse programming reflects this commitment. We aim to establish CIFF as a dependable platform for audiences to experience high-quality content, while simultaneously creating valuable business opportunities for the film industry."
The festival receives crucial support from the Government Museum & Art Gallery, Chandigarh, the Department of Tourism Chandigarh, and the Chandigarh Administration.
VS Kundu, a retired IAS officer and former head of the National Films Division of India, brings his expertise as the festival director, while veteran industry figure Bina Paul serves as the artistic director.
"CIFF marks a momentous occasion for Chandigarh, being the city's first international film festival," said VS Kundu. "With the backing of Chandigarh Tourism, the Department of Culture, and the Chandigarh Administration, we have strived to create a truly international event that rivals the best on the global stage."
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