Kiff 2025 is all set for the people of kolkata this week, from 6th of November till 12 November 2025. The Kolkata International Film Festival is a huge deal for film lovers, not only in Kolkata but across the globe
This year, Kolkata opened its curtains for the 31st time in Kolkata. It is the third-oldest international film festival to celebrate the art of cinema together. Many filmmakers from all parts of the world, you can also call it a love affair for the people who celebrate art and cinema.
On the 31st edition of the Kolkata, showcasing a huge yet impressive collection of films, around 250 films from across 39 countries, which include feature films, short films and documentaries, and the screenings of these films will be held across multiple venues in Kolkata.
Highlights of Kiff 2025
The inaugural cell ceremony of the Kolkata International Film Festival took place at the Dhono Dhanyo auditorium in Alipur. To everyone's surprise, the opening film this year was a classic 1961 Bengali comedy, Saptapadi. This year, the centenary tributes are focusing mainly on celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of legendary films since cinema like Megha Dhaka Tara, Subarnarekha, Ajantrik, etc.
Some special spotlights were also paid to cinematic legends such as Guru Dutt, Santosh Datt, Raj Khosla, Salil Chowdhury and Richard burtoonD
This year, the featured country for the Kolkata International Film Festival 2025 is selected to be Poland, which will in turn showcase. 19. Polish films emphasising Poland's rich film history and contemporary influence, including paying tribute to Polish filmmaker Wojciech Has on his birth anniversary.
Award this year in KIFF
| Competition Category | Main Award |
| International Competition: Innovation in Moving Images | Golden/Silver Royal Bengal Tiger (Best Film, Director, Special Jury) |
| Competition on Indian Language's Films | Golden/Silver Royal Bengal Tiger |
| Bengali Panorama | Golden/Silver Royal Bengal Tiger |
| Asian Select | NETPAC Award |
| Competition on Indian Short Films and Documentaries | Golden/Silver Royal Bengal Tiger |
KIFF 2025: Essential Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information | Key Highlight |
| Festival Edition | 31st | India's third-oldest international film festival. |
| Opening Date | Thursday, November 6, 2025 | The city's main annual cinema celebration begins. |
| Closing Date | Thursday, November 13, 2025 | The festival runs for 8 days. |
| Inauguration Venue | Dhana Dhanyo Auditorium | A major new venue for the grand event. |
| Inauguration Dignitary | Mamata Banerjee (Chief Minister, West Bengal) | Presides over the official opening. |
| Key Guests | Shatrughan Sinha, Ramesh Sippy (Director of Sholay), Saurav Ganguly, Sharmila Tagore | A mix of political, Bollywood, sports, and Bengali film icons. |
| Inaugural Film | Saptapadi (1961) | A timeless Bengali classic starring Uttam Kumar & Suchitra Sen. |
| Total Films Screened | 215 (185 Features, 30 Shorts/Docs) | Showcasing cinematic diversity from around the world. |
| Participating Countries | 39 | A truly global selection. |
| Focus Country | Poland 🇵🇱 | A special selection of 19 Polish films, including a tribute to Wojciech Has. |
| Key Centenary Tributes | Ritwik Ghatak, Richard Burton, Salil Chowdhury, Raj Khosla | Celebrating 100 years of film legends. |
| Keynote/Memorial Lecture | Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture by Ramesh Sippy (Director of Sholay) | A highly anticipated session, also celebrating 50 years of Sholay. |
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