Lights, Camera, Action: Kolkata Welcomes the Second Edition of the French Film
Festival Presented by Alliance Française du Bengale & Nandan: West Bengal Film
Centre in association with the Consulate General of France

Kolkata, February 14, 2025

Alliance Française du Bengale & Nandan: West Bengal Film Centre in collaboration with the
Consulate General of France in Kolkata, proudly announce the highly anticipated second
edition of the French Film Festival Kolkata, scheduled from February 22 to March 1, 2025.
Building on the resounding success of its inaugural year in 2024, the festival continues its
mission of celebrating cinematic excellence, fostering cross-cultural exchange, and paying
homage to the artistic legacies of French and Indian cinema.
With an expanded lineup featuring over 80 films, the 2025 edition is set to be a landmark
cultural event, solidifying the ties between France and India through the powerful medium of
film.
A Star-Studded Opening Ceremony on February 22, 2025 at Nandan 1 from
6:30 pm onwards
The inauguration of the festival will feature an esteemed lineup of distinguished guests and
officials from the film industry and diplomatic circles.
Among the notable guests are renowned film director Goutam Ghose, celebrated actors
Nasiruddin Shah, Anasuya Sengupta, Rituparna Sengupta and Rukmini Maitra, along with
industry veteran and Chief Advisor of 3FK, Pritimoy Chakraborty. Acclaimed film director
Anubhav Sinha, known for his critically acclaimed film “Thappad” and film & casting director
Trishaan Sarkar will also grace the event with their presence.
The official dignitaries include Didier Talpain, Consul General of France in Kolkata; Nicolas
Facino, Director of Alliance Francaise du Bengale and Director of the festival; and Santanu
Basu, IAS & Principal Secretary of the Information & Cultural Affairs DepartmentGovernment of West Bengal.
Their collective presence will mark a grand and prestigious beginning to the festival,
celebrating the confluence of cinema and culture.
Six Curated Festival Sections

1. Animation Films – Showcasing the finest animated storytelling from France.
2. Classics – Featuring masterpieces from Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut,
   Costa-Gavras, and Claude Sautet.
3. Contemporary Cinema – Highlighting cutting-edge modern French films
4. David Foenkinos Retrospective – Honouring the acclaimed French author and
   filmmaker with screenings of his three adapted films.
5. Call of the Mountains – A new segment featuring two French films and four
   Bhutanese films, celebrating Bhutanese cinema. This exciting new segment shines a
   spotlight on Bhutanese cinema by featuring a carefully curated selection of films from
   the region. The program includes two remarkable French films that explore themes of
   nature, adventure, and resilience, alongside four compelling Bhutanese films that offer
   a deep and authentic look into the country’s culture, traditions, and storytelling heritage.
   Through this unique blend of international and local perspectives, Call of the Mountains
   celebrates the rich cinematic landscape of Bhutan while fostering cultural exchange and
   appreciation.
6. Indian in Cannes – A showcase of Indian films that have earned recognition at
   Cannes, including:
   o The Shameless (attended by Anasuya Sengupta)
   o Manto (attended by Nandita Das)
   o Manthan (attended by Naseeruddin Shah)
   o & (attended by the maker of the
   films, Goutam Ghose)
   o Ghare Baire by Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen’s Kharij

7. A few of the screenings will be followed by insightful panel discussions.

World Premieres & Festival Highlights

• The festival opens with the world premiere of Délocalisés, directed by the esteemed
  duo Ali Bougheraba and starring Redouane Bougheraba. This much-anticipated
  French film, shot extensively in Kolkata between February and April 2024, is
  scheduled for an official release in France on March 12, 2025.
• The closing film will be La Délicatesse, directed by David and Stéphane Foenkinos,
  continuing the festival’s tradition of closing with a French novel adaptation focusing
  on the concept of Book to Screen and the author-turned-filmmaker. A celebration of
  David Foenkinos’ literary and cinematic brilliance, this screening highlights his
  contributions to contemporary French storytelling.
• On February 23, legendary Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah will present the iconic
  film Manthan as a tribute to its late director, Shyam Benegal. This celebrated film was
  featured in the Cannes Classicssection at the Cannes Film Festival, where Naseeruddin
  Shah and his wife graced the occasion.
• Also, in attendance at the opening ceremony will be Anasuya Sengupta, the first Indian
  actress to win the Best Actress Award in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes for
  her role in The Shameless, which will be screened in the Indian in Cannes segment.
• Renowned filmmaker Goutam Ghosh will showcase two of his acclaimed works, Abar

Aranye and Raahgir, in this prestigious section.

Introducing a Professional Segment
For the first time, the festival introduces a professional segment, fostering industry dialogue
through panel discussions on:

• The Importance of Women in Global Cinema
• State of play and prospects for collaboration between French and Indian cinema
• The role of AI in cinema : Artistic and economic challenges
  Short Film Night – An Unforgettable Experience on February 28, 2025 at the
  Auditorium of Alliance Française du Bengale | 9:00 PM-6:30 PM
  On February 28, cinephiles can immerse themselves in an extraordinary cinematic marathon
  at Alliance Française du Bengale. The Short Film Night will feature over 35 French short
  films, screened continuously from 9:00 PM to 6:30 AM.
  On February 28, renowned Indian actress Rituparna Sengupta will inaugurate the Short Film
  Night by presenting the opening film, Distances—a captivating 30-minute short directed by
  Ashoke Vishwanathan. The film is the result of a workshop conducted with the staff and
  students of Alliance Française du Bengale, featuring performances from the entire team.
  Notably, Nicolas Facino, Director of Alliance Française du Bengale, also plays a role in the

film.

An Enchanting Closing Ceremony on March 1, 2025 at Nandan 1 from 6:30
pm onwards
Closing Ceremony Lineup
The grand Closing Ceremony of the festival will bring together an illustrious lineup of
distinguished guests from the world of cinema, arts, and governance. This star-studded
evening will celebrate the essence of storytelling, cultural exchange, and cinematic brilliance.
Esteemed Dignitaries and Guests:

• H.E. Thierry Mathou – Ambassador of France to India, gracing the
  occasion with his presence and reinforcing the deep cultural ties between
  France and India.
• Santanu Basu– IAS, Principal Secretary-Information & Cultural Affairs
  Department, Government of West Bengal
• Nicolas Facino – Director of Alliance Française du Bengale, playing a
  key role in promoting French and global cinema in the region.
  Acclaimed Film Personalities:
• Nandita Das – Acclaimed filmmaker and actor, known for her socially
  conscious cinema and artistic vision.
• Sudhir Mishra – Visionary filmmaker, celebrated for his thoughtprovoking and impactful storytelling.
• Huma Qureshi – Renowned film actor, known for her versatile
  performances in Indian and international cinema.
• David Foenkinos – Acclaimed filmmaker and writer, adding an
  international flair to the event.
• Rituparna Sengupta – Celebrated actor, an icon of Bengali and Indian
  cinema, bringing her charisma to the ceremony.
• Mukesh Chhabra – Leading casting director, instrumental in shaping
  contemporary Indian cinema by discovering new talent.
• Anjan Dutt – Multifaceted filmmaker, actor, and singer, contributing
  immensely to Indian music and cinema.
• Richa Sharma – Actor and model, representing the evolving landscape of
  Indian cinema.
• Pritimoy Chakraborty–Industry Veteran & Chief Advisor of the film
  festival
  This extraordinary gathering of luminaries will mark a fitting finale to the festival,
  celebrating the magic of cinema, artistic excellence, and cultural collaboration.
  “Kolkata is a city that breathes cinema—a place where stories come to life, where filmmakers
  find inspiration, and where audiences embrace the magic of the big screen. The Second Edition
  of the French Film Festival Kolkata is a celebration of this love for cinema, bringing together
  the finest of French and Indian storytelling. Here, in the heart of this vibrant city, we honor
  those who create films and those who cherish them.”- Nicolas Facino, Director of Alliance
  Française du Bengale & Director of the French Film Festival Kolkata (3FK)
  A Celebration of Cultural Exchange & Artistic Brilliance
  With over 80 films, an array of distinguished guests, and a rich selection of cinematic
  masterpieces, the French Film Festival Kolkata 2025 reaffirms its commitment to fostering
  Indo-French cultural ties. By paying homage to cinematic legacies and paving the way for
  future collaborations, the festival stands as a beacon of artistic excellence and global
  storytelling within the framework of the bilateral cultural cooperation between India and
  France.