The International Kolkata Short Film Festival has unveiled its latest round of official selections for the 2026 edition, marking another milestone in the city's vibrant cultural calendar. The festival received an overwhelming response with more than 300 film submissions from around the world, of which over 250 have been chosen for screening across International, National, and Bengal categories.
Diverse Film Selection Across Categories
The International category showcases a remarkable array of global cinema, featuring Black Balloons from Israel by Gal Attia, Trezor the Dog from the Russian Federation by Ilya Severov, and How to Kill a Chicken from Taiwan by Chiahsin Hsieh. The selection also includes Grey Skies from the United States by Unni Rav and Reliefs from Mexico by Juan Manuel Gonzalez Fernandez, representing the truly international character of the festival.
In the National category, Indian filmmakers present compelling stories through works such as RU BA RU Face To Face by Kapil Tanwar, Echoes of Us by Joe Rajan, and Almari ka Achaar by Raakesh Rawat. The selection further includes Beyond the Sands by Ranveer R Rajput, How To Eat Birthday Cake by Leron Dsouza, and Caged by Gaurav Chaudhary, showcasing the diverse storytelling traditions from across the country.
Bengal Cinema Takes Center Stage
The Bengal category highlights regional talent with films including Qubool Hain by Joy Gorey, If by Tathagata Ghosh, and MISHTI by Rajarshi Banerjee. Other notable selections feature Ulto Rajar Desh by Rishav Datta, A Strange Darkness by Purandar Chaudhuri, ITI The Beginning by Abhishake De Sarkar, King Kartabyo by Soumya Maitra, and Ghee by Romi Banerjee, representing the rich cinematic tradition of Bengal.
Festival Venues and Programme Schedule
The festival programme will unfold across multiple prestigious venues in Kolkata. From January 20 to 22, Adamas University will host seminars and screenings with the presence of prominent film personalities alongside the Chancellor and senior faculty members.
On January 21, Sister Nibedita University will organize a masterclass and seminar, providing learning opportunities for aspiring filmmakers. The festival will then move to Rotary Sadan from January 23 to 25, where screenings, CineBridge sessions, trailer launches, special shows, and the much-anticipated award ceremony will take place with national and international delegates in attendance.
Regular updates about the festival's progress and additional selections will continue to be shared through the official Facebook page. The complete programme lineup will be formally announced at the press conference scheduled for January 2026, building anticipation among cinema enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
