Siliguri International Film Festival 2025: The 22nd Siliguri International Film Festival (SIFF) is set to commence on November 19, 2025, in Siliguri — bringing together cinephiles, filmmakers, and the regional community for a five-day spectacle at Dinabandhu Mancha, a prominent state-run auditorium. Organised by the Siliguri Cine Society in collaboration with the World Film Festival, Calcutta, and the Federation of Film Societies of India, this year’s edition promises a curated slate of international films, local premieres, and heartfelt tributes.
Siliguri International Film Festival 2025: Venue & Duration
The festival will run through November 23, with screenings, panel discussions and cultural events taking place at Dinabandhu Mancha, a venue long associated with Siliguri’s artistic and civic identity. The choice of this auditorium underscores the festival’s mission to bring global cinema to the region while making it accessible to local audiences.
Organisers and Partnerships
The event is being spearheaded by the Siliguri Cine Society, a local body committed to promoting film culture in North Bengal. Key partners include the World Film Festival, Calcutta, one of the most respected film society platforms in the region, and the Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI), which provides structural and programming support, connecting Siliguri to national and international film circuits.
Festival Lineup: Global Flavours on Screen
This year’s SIFF features 10 films from across the globe: six from Asian countries, three from Europe, and one from Latin America, according to Siliguri Cine Society secretary Pradip Nag. This curated selection demonstrates the festival’s commitment to cross-cultural cinema and its ambition to expose local audiences to a diverse range of narratives and artistic styles.
Inaugural Screening & Local Spotlight
The festival will open with the Bengali film “Aapish: The Office”, directed by Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha, known for their work in contemporary Bengali cinema. Their presence at the inaugural screening is expected to draw significant attention, offering a homegrown start to a festival rooted firmly in local civic and cultural life.
Tribute to Film Luminaries
SIFF 2025 will pay homage to two towering figures in Bengal’s cinematic heritage: composer Salil Chowdhury and film director Ritwik Ghatak. The tribute underscores the rich legacy of Bengal’s cultural icons and connects the festival’s global outlook with its deeply regional roots.
Film Schedule: November 20 Highlights
On the second day, November 20, the festival will showcase “Crawling Crows”, a Nepali film, and “Five in the Afternoon”, a Brazilian film. These films portray vastly different cultural landscapes, yet both engage with universal themes of conflict, identity, and human resilience.
Mid-Festival Screenings & Themes
On November 21, audiences will get a taste of both South Asian and European cinema, with “The Ashen Cloud” from Sri Lanka and “A Stone Dreams to Blossom” from Portugal. These screenings are expected to spark conversations around migration, memory, and transformation — themes that resonate strongly in the politically and culturally diverse state of West Bengal.
Indian, European, and Middle Eastern Cinema on Day 3
November 22 brings a rich mix: “Yakasi’s Daughter” (India), “Obraz” (Montenegro), and “At the End of the Day” (Iran). These films span continents and sensibilities — a daughter’s legacy in India, European identity and change, and a Middle Eastern contemplation of time and place.
Grand Finale: Closing Films on Day 5
The closing day, November 23, features “Onegin Hotel” from Russia and “Impermanent Residents” from Vietnam. These final screenings promise a reflective, emotionally resonant finish to the festival — exploring themes of displacement, belonging, and the transitory nature of home.
Opening Ceremony & Local Dignitaries
The opening ceremony is expected to feature Gautam Deb, the mayor of Siliguri and a long-time patron of the festival, along with key figures from the Siliguri Cine Society. Their presence highlights the civic importance of SIFF as a cultural landmark in the city and region.
Audience and Community Engagement
Despite being a niche festival, SIFF has built a strong local audience over the years — students, young professionals, teachers and cinema lovers all participate. The festival’s accessibility, including free entry passes, ensures that it remains inclusive, offering Siliguri residents a rare opportunity to experience world cinema at their doorstep.
Free Entry and Accessibility
According to the festival organisers, free entry passes will be made available at the venue from November 18. This move underlines SIFF’s commitment to democratizing culture and making international cinema accessible to wider segments of society.
Cultural Impact: Siliguri as a Cinematic Hub
Siliguri’s location — at the crossroads of the Northeast, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh — makes it uniquely suited to host an international film festival. SIFF helps reinforce its status not just as a commercial or tourist city but as a cultural hub, bridging diverse cinematic traditions.
Economic and Social Dimensions
The festival is expected to have positive economic spin-offs: local businesses — cinemas, eateries, hotels — benefit from increased footfall. More importantly, SIFF cultivates social capital by creating a shared cultural space where art, dialogue, and community converge.
Youth Engagement and Filmmakers’ Platform
For aspiring filmmakers in North Bengal, SIFF provides a platform to meet with experienced artists, network, and showcase their work. The festival’s involvement of the Siliguri Cine Society and FFSI helps integrate local talent into wider film circuits.
Heritage and Tribute Through Film
The tributes to Salil Chowdhury and Ritwik Ghatak are not merely ceremonial. Both legends shaped Bengali cinema’s identity — Chowdhury through music, and Ghatak through his socially conscious storytelling. Their commemoration at SIFF is a celebration of Siliguri’s own cultural roots.
Challenges of Hosting an International Festival in North Bengal
Organising a large film festival in Siliguri comes with logistical and financial challenges: securing international distribution rights, arranging subtitled prints, managing audience outreach, and ensuring smooth venue operations. Yet, the local Cine Society has consistently managed to bring such events to life.
Role of Siliguri Cine Society
The Siliguri Cine Society, as the core organiser, plays a crucial role in curation, outreach and execution. For decades, it has championed film appreciation in the region, curated screenings, and built relationships with national film bodies and neighbouring cine societies.
Partnership with World Film Festival, Calcutta & FFSI
Collaboration with World Film Festival, Calcutta, and the Federation of Film Societies of India adds credibility, resources, and programming depth to SIFF. These partnerships help bring global films to Siliguri, as well as ensure that the festival is part of the broader film society ecosystem in India.
Audience Expectations and Feedback
Every year, festival-goers in Siliguri look forward to SIFF not just for films but for the experience: a chance to discuss, debate, and be inspired. For many, the festival is a rare moment of cultural exposure and intellectual engagement.
Film Society Impact: Beyond Screens
Film societies like Siliguri’s contribute beyond film screening: they nurture local audiences, encourage film education, and create a culture of cinematic critique. The annual SIFF is a culmination of years of grassroots filmmaking enthusiasm and film appreciation efforts.
Importance for Regional Filmmakers
SIFF gives regional filmmakers (from North Bengal or nearby states) a venue to showcase their work alongside international cinema. This not only boosts their visibility but also helps them connect with audiences and peers in a more formal festival environment.
Cultural Exchange & Soft Diplomacy
By screening films from Asia, Europe, and Latin America, SIFF promotes cross-cultural understanding. The audience in Siliguri, which itself is ethnically and culturally diverse, stands to gain from films that carry different worldviews, social realities and artistic styles.
Tribute Films and Special Screenings
Apart from standard screenings, the festival may host tribute segments, panel discussions or masterclasses around the life and work of Salil Chowdhury and Ghatak — helping younger audiences understand and appreciate film heritage.
Screening Logistics & Schedule
The festival’s daily schedule will likely include three time slots, offering afternoon and evening screenings. This helps accommodate different audience segments — students and working professionals — and maximizes engagement across Siliguri.
Community Outreach & Education
Organisers plan to involve local schools, colleges and community centres in festival-related events. Workshops, short film sessions and youth panels may form part of the festival’s community outreach, encouraging budding filmmakers and cinephiles.
Film Festival as Urban Narrative
SIFF is not just about cinema; it’s part of Siliguri’s narrative as a growing urban centre with evolving cultural aspirations. The festival contributes to the city’s identity as more than a transit town — positioning it as a place where ideas, culture, and creativity converge.
Risks & Sustainability
Maintaining a consistent international film festival in a non-metro city requires sustainable funding, volunteer commitment, and audience growth. Challenges include sponsorship, licensing costs, and year-on-year audience retention. Organisers must balance international flair with local relevance to stay viable.
Paragraph 30 — Future Prospects for SIFF
Looking ahead, Siliguri’s festival could expand:
- Inclusion of student films or a short film competition
- A dedicated documentary section
- Collaborations with regional film schools
- Film-market elements to support independent filmmakers
Such growth would deepen the festival’s impact on cinema culture in North Bengal.
Significance for North Bengal Cinema Culture
SIFF’s continuation and growth signal that cinema culture is growing in North Bengal. As film consumption evolves (theatrical, festival, digital), having a local international festival helps anchor cine-culture in the region, empowering local artists and audiences alike.
A Cultural Landmark for Siliguri
The 22nd SIFF is more than an annual event: it is a cultural landmark that affirms Siliguri’s place on the map of serious cine-society cities. Through global films and local participation, it connects Siliguri to global cinema while reinforcing the city’s own unique identity.
Conclusion
As the spotlight turns on Dinabandhu Mancha from November 19, Siliguri prepares to welcome not just films, but stories, dialogues, and new cultural possibilities. The 22nd Siliguri International Film Festival is poised to be a vibrant celebration of cinema — global in reach, deeply rooted in the region, and filled with promise for the future of filmmaking and film appreciation in North Bengal.
External Links
- Siliguri Cine Society – Official (Festival Organiser): https://siliguricinesociety.com/
- Siliguri Short Film Festival (SSFF) 2025 info: https://siliguricinesociety.com/ssff-2025/
- Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI): https://ffsi.org.in/
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