Kolkata: F5IFF’25 Puts Spotlight on Women, Nature, Independent Storytelling

Kolkata: As the curtain fell on the second edition of the Fest5 International Film Festival (F5IFF’25) in the city, accolades poured in for the festival’s role as a premier stage for independent filmmakers — a platform free from syndicates or commercial clusters, dedicated to meaningful cinema.

“I am delighted to be part of this festival, where independent filmmakers like me can bring our stories to a vibrant young audience. It is vital to highlight urgent issues such as the environment, climate change, and shifting cultural values. I am glad that F5IFF’25 did exactly that,” said French filmmaker Fabianny Deschamps, who travelled from Paris to present her work.

“I was deeply touched by the intimate, warm atmosphere of the festival. It feels less like a formal event and more like a gathering of passionate storytellers. Being here is truly a privilege,” remarked Baishakhi Samaddar of the Dhaka International Film Festival, who participated in support of her sister, filmmaker Chaitali Somadder, whose film was showcased at the festival.

The F5IFF’25 screened 30 curated films out of more than 550 submissions from 69 countries. Each film explores facets of environment, climate change, and human dignity, making the festival a vibrant crossroads of art, activism, and awareness.

The festival’s opening echoed the age-old belief that women and nature share a deep, intrinsic bond — both nurturing, both resilient, and both scarred by exploitation. This spirit infused the inaugural ceremony at the Anthropological Survey of India Auditorium, where womanhood and the environment were jointly celebrated.

Four distinguished women — actor, dancer and Padma Shri awardee Mamata Shankar; Techno India Co-Chairperson Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury; Ministry of Culture consultant Gouri Basu and educationist Shaini Lihitkar — together with Amit Ghosh, Deputy Director of the Anthropological Survey of India, inaugurated the festival. Their presence set the tone for four days of cinematic storytelling devoted to climate change, environmental justice, and cultural memory.

Gouri Basu stressed that F5IFF’25 is “not just a film festival but a platform for building dialogues and collective action on what shape the world will take. The legacy we must leave behind is not of loss and depletion but of renewal and responsibility.”

Amit Ghosh introduced the pioneering work of AnSI, sharing: “We are really fortunate to collaborate. We have already produced 55 documentary films, and we immediately agreed to support this festival because of its environmental concerns.”

Manoshi Roychowdhury emphasised the urgency of cinema as an environmental voice: “What can be more evocative than film to tell us that our Mother Earth is in danger? If the Earth is happy, we will all be happy. Through such festivals, we can learn to create a balance and build a greener future.”

Mamata Shankar, inaugurating the festival, said it was “a privilege to be part of an international platform where films from across the world bring us closer to global concerns. I am truly honoured.”

Shaini Lihitkar added: “This festival weaves together cultural memories, critical thinking, and the vision of a sustainable future. It captures everything that is important for the generations to come.”

With this inauguration, F5IFF’25 reaffirmed its mission: to celebrate womanhood, to protect Mother Earth, and to use cinema as a catalyst for dialogue and transformation.