Kolkata : The Fest5 International Film Festival (F5IFF’25) kicked off today with incredible enthusiasm at the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) Auditorium. This event heralds the beginning of a four-day celebration focused on cinema, culture, and climate awareness. Taking place from September 5 to 8, this year’s festival has received over 550 film submissions from 69 countries, highlighting its swift international expansion, with 30 films selected for screening.
Following the remarkable success of its inaugural edition last year, F5IFF is back with an expanded vision, increased participation, and a more pronounced thematic emphasis on environmental issues and climate change—topics that resonate worldwide and shape the essence of the festival.
The festival was inaugurated by acclaimed actress and Padma Shri awardee Mamata Shankar and was attended by Smt. Gauri Basu, Former Director EZCC; Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury, Co-Chairperson, Techno India Group; Dr. Amit Ghosh, Deputy Director of the Anthropological Survey of India; Prof. Shalini Lihitkar, DLIS of Nagpur University, and many other eminent personalities.
Speaking to the media, Padma Shri awardee Mamata Shankar expressed her pride in being associated with F5IFF’25. “Cinema has always been a mirror to society, and a festival like F5IFF, with its focus on environment, climate change, and human dignity, is deeply relevant in today’s times. Through this festival, voices from across the world come together to speak for nature, culture, and humanity. F5IFF is more than a festival; it is a movement that inspires us to think, to feel, and to act for a better tomorrow.”
On this occasion, Mr. Sourav De, F5IFF Director, said, “We are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of filmmakers across the world in recognising our festival and participating with unmatched vigour. F5IFF is building a platform where independent voices find space alongside global cinema. This year’s themes reflect our commitment to both social relevance and cultural heritage. With the introduction of new categories such as the Satyajit Ray Student Film Awards, Bibliophilia, and Films on Anthropology, we are ensuring that the festival becomes not only a cinematic showcase but also a cultural movement.”
The Anthropological Survey of India welcomed the collaboration, with Prof. B.V. Sharma, Director, AnSI, remarking, “The festival’s focus on environment and climate change resonates deeply with our mission of understanding the relationship between communities and their ecological settings. Cinema has the power to transcend boundaries, and F5IFF’25 provides a platform where culture, science, and sustainability come together for a global audience.”
The 2025 edition places a special emphasis on youth engagement and education, forging partnerships with leading universities across Kolkata. Across its four days, F5IFF’25 will bring together filmmakers, cinephiles, distributors, producers, and cultural leaders from around the world for screenings, discussions, and networking opportunities, positioning Kolkata at the heart of global cinema with a conscience.
