215 films from 39 countries to light up the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival

The city of joy is set to turn into a cinephile’s paradise once again as the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) gears up to showcase 215 films from 39 countries between November 6 and 13 across 21 theatres in the city.

Announcing the details on Tuesday, West Bengal Minister Aroop Biswas said the festival will open on November 6 with a screening of the timeless Bengali classic Saptapadi (1961), starring Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen. The inaugural ceremony, to be attended by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, will also feature several distinguished guests, whose names will be revealed soon.

This year’s edition will include 185 full-length features and 30 short films, representing works in 18 Indian and 30 foreign languages. Poland has been chosen as the focus country, with 19 Polish films to be screened during the week-long celebration of global cinema.

The festival’s ‘Unheard India’ section will present eight films in lesser-known Indian languages, spotlighting the nation’s linguistic and cultural diversity under the theme ‘Unity in Diversity’ .

In a heartfelt tribute to cinematic legends, the ‘Centenary Tribute’ segment will honour Ritwik Ghatak, Richard Burton, Salil Chowdhury, and Raj Khosla. Ghatak’s masterpieces such as Ajantrik , Komol Gandhar , Titas Ekti Nadir Naam , and Meghe Dhaka Tara will be showcased.

The ‘Special Tribute’ category will feature films by celebrated filmmakers including Robert Bedford, Shyam Benegal, and Arun Roy.

A major highlight will be the Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture on November 7, where veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy will be the special guest. The session will commemorate 50 years of his iconic film Sholay , celebrating its enduring legacy in Indian cinema.

With its diverse lineup and thematic depth, the 31st KIFF promises to be a vibrant confluence of cultures, creativity, and cinematic excellence.