Grand Closing of the 15th Delhi International Film Festival
‘A New Postbox: Tales from Partition’ Receives Special Recognition
8th May, New Delhi : The 15th Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF 2026), organized with the support of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), concluded on May 8 in a grand and dignified ceremony. Renowned actress Rituparna Sengupta attended the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest. Diplomats from several countries were also present on the occasion.
During the closing ceremony, awards were presented to outstanding films selected in the competition section. The awards were conferred by Rituparna Sengupta. The film ‘A New Postbox: Tales from Partition,’ based on the historical backdrop of the Partition of India, received special recognition. The film drew the attention of audiences and critics alike for its sensitive portrayal of the human tragedy and memories associated with Partition.
This year’s festival witnessed extensive participation from world cinema. A total of 177 films from 51 countries and 21 Indian states were screened during the festival. Representing diverse languages, cultures, and social concerns, these films introduced audiences to the rich traditions of global cinema.
Russia, China, and African nations were featured as the festival’s ‘Focus Countries.’ The films, cultural presentations, and cinematic discussions from these regions provided new dimensions to international cultural dialogue.
Several important discussions, interactive sessions, and special panel discussions were also organized as part of the festival. Among them, the special panel discussion organized by IGNCA titled ‘Making Films is Easy, Selling Them is War’ attracted significant attention from filmmakers, researchers, and cinema students. The discussion focused on the challenges of film distribution and reaching audiences, beyond the process of filmmaking itself.
The panel featured Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director of the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi; Salim Arif, Dean Academics at IICS, New Delhi; renowned theatre personality and Asmita Theatre Group founder Arvind Gaur; and Joginder Mahajan, Secretary General of the Motion Pictures Association. The session was moderated by senior journalist Reema Gautam.
Speakers at the closing ceremony stated that the Delhi International Film Festival has evolved into more than just a film event—it has become a global platform celebrating diverse cultures, emotions, and creative expressions. The festival has played a significant role in strengthening dialogue, collaboration, and cultural exchange between Indian and world cinema.
