Esha Gupta Declares Female Gaze as Ancient as Earth Itself at IFFD 2026
At the prestigious International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) 2026, actress Esha Gupta delivered a powerful statement about the fundamental role of women in cinema, asserting that the female gaze has existed since the dawn of time. "Female gaze started when the earth was made," Gupta proclaimed during her address. "Without women, there wouldn't have been any reproduction or continuity. It's incredible that the IFFD is focusing on this theme because it celebrates the very core of what women bring to cinema."
Amplifying Female Voices in Storytelling
Gupta emphasized the need to recognize and amplify the voices of female storytellers and creators across the industry. She stressed that providing platforms for women to share their unique perspectives is crucial for the evolution of cinematic narratives. "It's important that women are recognized for their contributions, and I believe festivals like IFFD are the perfect platform to celebrate and encourage their storytelling," the actress added, highlighting the festival's role in fostering gender-inclusive creative expression.
Madhur Bhandarkar Praises Festival Initiative
Renowned filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, who serves on the festival's advisory board, lauded the Delhi government's initiative in organizing IFFD. "It's a great initiative by the Delhi government. Programs like these allow audiences to watch diverse films, attend masterclasses, and interact with filmmakers. Cinema lovers get exposure to a wide range of content," Bhandarkar stated.
He also emphasized the importance of international collaborations in today's cinematic landscape. "Cinema has no borders and no language. Today we watch Italian, Spanish, and French films. Collaborations are very important in today's time," the filmmaker noted, expressing optimism about the festival's potential to bring together creative professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Alignment with Women-Centric Cinema
Bhandarkar revealed that the festival's focus on women in cinema resonates deeply with his own body of work. "I have always made films centred around women empowerment, and audiences have given a lot of love to such stories. My upcoming film 'The Wives' is also a female-centric project, and I hope it receives the same affection," he shared, connecting his personal filmmaking journey with the festival's thematic emphasis.
International Participation and Cultural Exchange
The festival attracted significant international participation, including Spanish actor Enrique Arce who expressed enthusiasm about representing his country at the inaugural edition. "This is amazing. I'm so excited... it's a privilege. It's a blessing. I'm so thankful that they chose us to represent Spain here," Arce said.
Arce, who is scheduled to conduct a masterclass with emerging filmmakers in Delhi, emphasized the importance of balancing technological advancement with traditional storytelling. "The world is going towards artificial intelligence, but we can't lose our roots. Stories from the past are important to keep telling," he advised, while encouraging young filmmakers to "Stay on it. Keep telling good stories."
Festival Structure and Government Support
Organized by the Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) in association with the Government of Delhi, with KPMG as knowledge partner, IFFD represents a significant government-led cultural initiative. The week-long festival, running from March 25 to 31, features:
- Screenings of Indian and international cinema
- Industry discussions and masterclasses
- Multiple venues across New Delhi
- Participation from global filmmakers and artists
The festival aims to make film culture accessible to diverse audiences while fostering international cultural exchange and professional networking within the cinematic community.
