Chandigarh—once an unconventional choice for an international film festival—has rapidly emerged as a thriving center for cinematic dialogue, innovation, and market dynamics. Cinevesture’s inaugural international film festival in Chandigarh (CIFF) last year set the stage for the city’s growing reputation as a melting pot of diverse film cultures.
A Strategic Choice with Diverse Appeal
Founder and CEO Nina Lath, a former managing director at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the visionary behind the acclaimed Film Bazaar, explained that Chandigarh’s unique demographic makeup made it an ideal venue. “The key stakeholders in the film business are the audiences. And Chandigarh, with its large number of students, defence personnel, and a blend of cultures from across the country, offers a diversity that few cities can match,” Lath noted. This strategic move places Chandigarh alongside major film cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, where distributors release films in every language and genre.
A Curated Cinematic Experience
The inaugural CIFF offered a rich tapestry of films, including 24 award-winning international features, 17 regional Indian films, and an impressive array of 27 shorts, children’s films, and classics. This diverse programming was crafted by a panel of seasoned professionals such as VS Kundu, former head of India’s National Films Division, National Award-winning editor Bina Paul, and renowned film critic Namrata Joshi. Their expertise ensured that the festival not only celebrated artistic excellence but also provided a platform for emerging talent and alternative voices.
Industry Giants and Learning Opportunities
CIFF attracted several luminaries from the world of cinema. Film personalities like Karan Johar, Boman Irani, Sudhir Mishra, Shekhar Kapur, and Richa Chadha mingled with an enthusiastic crowd of cinephiles, aspiring filmmakers, and actors from far-flung regions including Jammu, Himachal, and Delhi. The festival offered an extensive program of workshops and masterclasses, providing insights into the art of filmmaking that many attendees described as transformative.
Bhaskar Hazarika, co-writer of blockbuster projects including the Netflix series Class, highlighted the festival’s integrated market as a groundbreaking feature for North India. “For the first time, we had a film festival that not only showcased screenings but also provided a market to pitch projects for funding,” he said, citing his thriller project ‘Jack’ as a successful example of the initiative.
Atika Chohan, whose writing credits include films like Waiting and Chhapaak, praised the festival for its multifaceted benefits. “A single platform providing exposure to films otherwise unavailable, opportunities for international co-productions, and support for alternate voices is invaluable,” Chohan remarked. She recalled insightful sessions with Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, who discussed innovative methods for securing grants outside the traditional studio system.
Spotlight on New Voices and Visionary Projects
CIFF also served as a launchpad for fresh cinematic narratives. Award-winning interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker Nihaarika Negi found the festival’s intimate atmosphere conducive to deep, meaningful exchanges among filmmakers. “It opens up possibilities for new stories and gives fresh voices from underexposed regions the support they need to thrive,” Negi observed.
For young talents like Punjab’s Anmol Sidhu, CIFF was transformative. Sidhu’s film Jaggi, which explores challenging social issues, not only earned him international accolades but also secured mentorship from renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. This nurturing environment is fueling creative projects and paving the way for a new generation of filmmakers.
Looking Ahead: The Second Edition and CineV Market
Building on last year’s success, Cinevesture is gearing up for the second edition of CIFF, slated for March 20-23. This upcoming festival will feature 15 award-winning features—including Cannes and Oscar contenders such as Emilia Perez and The Girl with the Needle—and the much-anticipated opening film, the Korean award-winner A Normal Family. The India Unveiled category promises to showcase a vibrant collection of 17 films from diverse regional backgrounds, featuring works from Dibakar Banerjee, Tigmanshu Dhulia, and more.
In tandem with the film screenings, the festival will host CineV Market—a curated event spotlighting 22 projects from esteemed filmmakers like Vikramaditya Motwane, Hansal Mehta, and Honey Trehan. Projects such as Trehan’s Blade Runner, which dramatizes the story of India’s first war hero turned blade runner, will offer investors and filmmakers a unique opportunity to collaborate. Industry heavyweights including Nandita Das, Radhika Apte, and Kani Kusruti will also be in attendance, ensuring that the festival remains a dynamic forum for both creative exchange and commercial ventures.
Connecting Continents and Expanding Horizons
A significant new partnership with the Indian Film Festival, Los Angeles, will further extend CIFF’s reach, offering South Asian filmmakers a direct line to Hollywood producers. With additional features like a works lab, cine vault, and investor-producer workshop, the festival is set to become an indispensable nexus for filmmakers and industry professionals worldwide.
As the festival prepares to return, CIFF stands as a beacon of creative expression and a testament to Chandigarh’s rising status in the global film circuit. With a balanced blend of artistic innovation, market dynamics, and cross-cultural collaborations, Cinevesture is not only redefining film festivals in North India but is also forging a vibrant future for the world of cinema.
