Cinevesture Hosts Its First International Film Festival in Chandigarh: A Cultural Milestone
A special tribute to Shyam Benegal will include screenings of classics like *Manthan*, Mammo, and Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda.
Cinevesture Hosts Its First International Film Festival in Chandigarh: A Cultural Milestone latest news: In 2024, Cinevesture made an ambitious leap by hosting its inaugural International Film Festival in Chandigarh (CIFF), a city that surprised many. Yet, for Nina Lath, the founder and CEO of Cinevesture, the choice was far from random—it was always an “attractive proposition.” Lath, who has a rich history in the film industry, having previously served as the Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), emphasized that
Chandigarh’s unique demographic played a key role in the decision. The city is home to a vast diversity of audiences—students, defense personnel, and people from various corners of India—making it a fertile ground for showcasing a global range of films.
Lath, who also spearheaded the creation of the Film Bazaar in Goa, which has now become South Asia's largest film co-production market, brought a wealth of experience to CIFF. For the festival's first edition, a team of industry veterans, including former National Film Division of India head VS Kundu and National Award-winning film editor Bina Paul, curated a rich selection of 24 award-winning international films, 17 regional Indian films, and 27 shorts. This diverse lineup made the festival a haven for cinephiles, aspiring filmmakers, and industry veterans alike.
The inaugural edition attracted notable film personalities such as Karan Johar, Boman Irani, Sudhir Mishra, Shekhar Kapur, and Richa Chadha, among others. These industry giants didn’t just attend for the limelight—they participated in workshops and masterclasses, offering invaluable insights to up-and-coming filmmakers. The festival proved to be a treasure trove of learning opportunities for budding talents, including an array of workshops on various aspects of filmmaking.
One of the most groundbreaking features of CIFF was its market, something that had been missing from North India’s festival landscape. Bhaskar Hazarika, known for his work on films like Kothanodi and the Netflix series Class, was one of the many filmmakers who appreciated this addition. “For the first time in North India, we had a film festival that had a market attached to it. Even if you didn’t have a screening, you could still put a project in the market for funding,” he shared.
The importance of such a platform was echoed by screenwriter Atika Chohan, who co-wrote Waiting, Guilty, Agra, and Chhapaak. “A single platform provides multiple benefits—introducing us to films that are otherwise unavailable and forming networks that can help with international co-productions. The more markets we have, the better it is, especially for alternate voices,” she said.
For many filmmakers, the intimacy of CIFF was also a big draw. It wasn’t just about showing films—it was about forming direct connections with fellow filmmakers and producers. Nihaarika Negi, an interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker whose project Feral was part of the curated market, saw CIFF as a crucial opportunity to bring fresh voices from underrepresented regions into the spotlight.
For young theatre actor Anmol Sidhu, who won the Best Indian Film award for his much-acclaimed film Jaggi, CIFF became a turning point in his career. After facing challenges in finding a producer for Jaggi, a poignant story about a schoolboy in rural Punjab grappling with issues of identity, bullying, and masculinity, the festival gave him recognition and mentorship from industry heavyweights like Anurag Kashyap.
As CIFF’s second edition draws near, it promises to build on the success of last year, offering even more exciting opportunities for filmmakers and audiences alike.
The 2025 lineup features a stellar collection of films, including Cannes and Oscar-winning films like Emilia Perez, The Girl with the Needle (Oscar-nominated), and Korean award-winning feature A Normal Family. Notably, the India Unveiled category will showcase a collection of 17 Indian films, including Tees by Dibakar Banerjee and Ghamasaan by Tigmanshu Dhulia.
A special tribute to Shyam Benegal will include screenings of classics like *Manthan*, Mammo, and Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda.
The festival will also host a range of exciting events, including a works lab, a cine vault, and an investor-producer workshop. The collaboration with the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles will provide South Asian filmmakers with a golden opportunity to connect with Hollywood producers.
This year, the festival will take place from March 20-23 at Cinepolis, Sector 17, Chandigarh, and promises to continue being a powerful catalyst for cultural exchange, collaboration, and growth in the Indian and global film industries.
Whether you are a veteran filmmaker or a newcomer, CIFF is rapidly becoming the place where stories are told, connections are made, and the future of cinema unfolds.
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