Archive · 29 Oct 2025
31st Kolkata International Film Festival to Showcase 215 Films, Focus on Poland
The Kolkata International Film Festival is happening soon, from November 6th to November 13th!
This year, they will show 215 movies from 39 different countries.
Poland is the special guest country, so there will be many Polish films to see.
The festival is also celebrating 50 years of the famous movie 'Sholay' and will feature a talk by its director.
They are also celebrating 150 years of India's national song, 'Vande Mataram', by showing the movie 'Ananda Math'.
The festival will kick off with an old Bengali movie called 'Saptapadi'.
This year, there's a special focus on movies about sports and the environment.
The festival will honor the actor Pradeep Kumar for his 100th birthday by showing his classic films.
It's a big event for movie lovers in Kolkata!
The 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) will take place from November 6 to November 13.
A total of 215 films from 39 countries will be screened, including Indian and foreign language films.
Poland is the focus country for this year's festival, with a special section dedicated to Polish cinema.
The festival will inaugurate with the screening of the 1961 Bengali film 'Saptapadi' and features tributes to 'Sholay's' 50th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram'.
There is a special emphasis on sports movies and environmental films, alongside a tribute to actor Pradeep Kumar's birth centenary.
- Who
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, State Power Minister Aroop Biswas, filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, actor Pradeep Kumar.
- What
- The 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), featuring 215 films from 39 countries, with a special focus on Poland. The festival includes tributes to the 50th anniversary of 'Sholay', the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram', and the birth centenary of actor Pradeep Kumar.
- When
- November 6 to November 13.
- Where
- Kolkata, at Dhano Dhanyo Auditorium and 21 venues.
- Why
- To celebrate cinema, with a particular emphasis on sports movies, environmental films, and to honor cinematic milestones and figures.
Film Selection Focus
Film Selection Focus
Thematic Emphasis
Film Selection Focus
State Power Minister Aroop Biswas highlighted an emphasis on sports movies and films about the environment, with four environmental films scheduled.
Film Selection Focus
The festival also features significant cultural tributes, including the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram' with the screening of 'Ananda Math', the 50th anniversary of 'Sholay', and the birth centenary of actor Pradeep Kumar.
- Event
- 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF)
- Dates
- November 6 - November 13
- Number of Films
- 215
- Number of Countries
- 39
- Focus Country
- Poland
- Inaugural Film
- Saptapadi (1961)
- Opening Venue
- Dhano Dhanyo Auditorium, Kolkata
Sources
KIFF 2025 to open with Uttam-Suchitra’s ‘Saptapadi’, special tribute to Ritwik Ghatak
215 films from 39 countries to be screened at 31st Kolkata film fest
KIFF: Sippy for Ray memorial talk, Ritwik Ghatak Centenary, Poland Focus at fest - Telegraph India
At this year’s KIFF, spotlight on Poland; special tribute to Sholay