Embark on a cinematic journey
India Habitat Centre – Habitat Film Festival will embark on a cinematic journey from May 17 to 26, at India Habitat Centre.
The 14th edition of this spectacular platform for Indian cinema
opens with Ashvin Kumar's much talked about recent release 'No Fathers in Kashmir' on May 17, at 6:00 pm, and closes with Devashish Makhija's 'Bhonsle' on May 26 at 7:30 pm.
Aiming for an approximation of the best of Indian Cinema year after year, this edition brings on a pan Indian selection from the current year and the year gone by with insightful post-screening interactions with directors.
Widely anticipated for its yearly offerings which include first cuts, Indian festival premieres, and world premieres, debuts and master classes – this festival is nothing short of a cinematic treat for movie enthusiasts. It showcases 42 films in more than 19 languages including Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Hindi, Kashmiri, English, Telugu, Haryanvi, to name a few in its feature films section. And an additional 45 critically acclaimed films will be screened under the documentaries, shorts, and student film segments.
Films including 'Vaada Chennai', 'Kumbalangi Nights', 'Nagarkirtan', 'The Mosquito Philosophy', 'Mehsampur', 'Noblemen', 'Tarikh', 'The Gold Laden Sheep and the Sacred Mountain', and many more will also have post-screening conversations with their respective directors. Master classes by filmmakers and relevant panel discussions interspersed with the screenings are expected to drive in film lovers from the city in large numbers, making it enlightening and entertaining in equal measure. Famed Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta from Ahaa Re and Malayalam actress Rima Kallingal from Aabhasam will also grace the festival with their presence.
The screening of Malayalam feature 'Aabhasam' will be followed by a panel on the #MeToo Movement and the formation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) in the Malayalam film industry featuring actress Rima Kallingal, director Jubith Namradath, moderated by film critic Anna M M Vetticad. A dedicated festival lounge offers collateral openings such as in-depth interactions between filmmakers and film scholars.
The festival has grown to accommodate a rich fare of short films and student films in addition to the documentaries. A special package of documentaries on Dadasaheb Phalke Awardees directed by Savita Oberoi will also be screened. A highlight of PSBT films in the documentary segment is Prantik Basu'sRang Mahal selected in the International Competition Berlinale Shorts section at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival.
HFF will also see the screening of several outstanding student films including The Firefox Guardian, Glow worm in a jungle, Khela, What is the colour of the colourless sky and many more. The films under the new Student's Cinema Segment will witness the participation of the young and upcoming filmmakers from the Film and Television Institute Pune, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Kolkata, AJK Mass Communication Research Centre Jamia Millia Islamia, Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication (SACAC), etc.
Vidyun Singh, Programmes Director, India Habitat Centre said, "Habitat Film Festival is known for its diverse choice of films. For the last 14 years, it has been providing the best of all worlds and has been showcasing films that have deeply engaged with its social and local contexts, displaying fine sensibilities and sensitivities. This is a selection that affirms our heterogeneous character. The film has always been a strong medium for the community to come together and we are thrilled to present the best of Indian cinema once again."
Dating back to its inception in the year 2005, Habitat Film Festival has experienced substantial growth over the years and has been at the forefront in drawing public attention to cinematic gems from across the country away from the glitz and glamour of Bollywood.
