The 31st edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) concluded on Thursday with a spectacular closing ceremony that saw surprise appearances, prestigious awards, and ambitious promises for the future of Bengali cinema.
Surprise Entry and Global Invitation
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a surprise appearance at the closing ceremony held on November 13, 2025, where she extended a warm invitation to international filmmakers to explore the rich cinematic potential of Bengal. Addressing foreign delegates and film enthusiasts, Banerjee emphasized the state's diverse resources and talented artists.
"I came here today to personally thank you. But don't think we will not come here next year. You must come to our Kolkata International Film Festival next year as well," the Chief Minister declared during her impassioned speech.
Award Winners and Honorees
The festival's top honors were distributed among several international productions, with Cuban cinema emerging as the biggest winner. David Bim's 'To the West in Zapata' from Cuba secured the prestigious Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Film in the International Competition on Innovation in Moving Images category.
Sri Lankan director Lalith Rathnayake won the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Director for his film 'Riverstone' in the same competition section. Croatian filmmaker Ivona Juka received the Special Jury Award for Best Director for her work 'Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day'.
In the Indian documentary category, Joydeep Banerjee's 'Bijoyee Japoner Patkatha' received the Golden Royal Bengal Award for Best Indian documentary. The film chronicles the glorious life of Bijoylaxmi Barman.
Veteran Indian director Goutam Ghosh was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, coinciding with the 100th anniversary celebration of FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics). Ghosh is internationally acclaimed for his notable works including 'Paar', 'Padmanadir Majhi', 'Kalbela', 'Moner Manush', 'Raaghir' and 'Antarjali Yatra'.
Bengal's Cinematic Promise
Chief Minister Banerjee passionately highlighted Bengal's diverse landscapes and cultural richness, positioning the state as an ideal filming destination. "We have no shortage of talent in Bengal. Apart from talented artists, there is no dearth of natural resources in our state," she asserted.
Banerjee elaborated on the state's geographical diversity, mentioning "the Himalayas from dense forests to the eye-catching rivers and reservoirs from villages" and noting that "there is a stunning beach. You will find everything in our Bengal."
The Chief Minister confidently stated that "if you join hands with Tollypara, they will be able to give you the best pictures in the world. I say loudly, our Bengali film industry has that power." She emphasized the need for collaboration and encouragement to unlock this potential fully.
Future Vision and Cultural Unity
Banerjee promised an even grander festival next year, declaring "I promise you, next year we will organize this Kolkata International Film Festival in a bigger and more colorful way." She urged delegates to return with specific goals and dreams, emphasizing the importance of having both 'vision' and 'mission'.
The Chief Minister also spoke about Bengal's cultural philosophy, stating "Culture of Bengal – unity in diversity. We do not believe in the principle of division, we believe in the principle of unity. We want to see a peaceful world." She described the global film community as brothers and sisters, with the whole world being like one house despite different countries, appearances, and skin colors.
The 31st KIFF successfully concluded with this celebration of cinematic excellence and the promise of greater international collaboration in Bengal's film industry in the coming years.
