Celebrating India Film Festival [CIFF]- 2025
Celebrating India Film Festival [CIFF] 2025 is a three-day film festival dedicated to culturally enriched films of the Indian subcontinent. It has been organised from 8-10 August, in the NCUI Auditorium, New Delhi.
According to it’s official website, it promises documentaries, features, short stories, and animation films under themes such as Environment, Heritage, Art, and Spirituality, rooted in Indian values.
500 ruppees per day per ticket was being charged. There were several movies scheduled in adjacent theatres that is the Main Auditorium (500 seats), Alpha Hall (100 Seats), and Beta Hall (60 Seats).
Top Feature Films screened at CIFF
Umrao Jaan
Directed by Muzaffar Ali. The 1981 film revolves around Amiran who was sold into a brothel at a young age. The film is based on the novel Umrao Jaan Ada, 1899 by Mirza Hadi Ruswa. The film with a run time of 150 min, collected several National film Awards and Filmfare Awards, the year it was released.
It is available on Amazon Prime Video.
Kranti
Directed by the legendary Manoj Kumar, Kranti is a 1981 film revolving around Sanga, a employee in the kingdom of Ramgarh who is falsely accused of treason and sentenced to Death. He escapes prison and forms a group of revolutionaries, whose aim is freedom. Plotted in the 19th century British India, the film has a run time of 187 min. It turned out to be one of the highest grossing films of the 1980’s.
It is available to watch on Youtube.
India Lockdown
Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, the 2022 film revolves around the lives of a Father-daughter duo, a sex worker, a migrant family, and a college boy. All of whose lives are affected by the 2020 COVID lockdown. The film with a run time of 153 min showcases struggle of Mehrunisa- a sex worker; Madhav- a migrant with his family trying to return to their village walking several hundred kilometers; Nageshwar Rao- an old man dealing with his everyday chores and the fear of the deadly disease.
It is available to watch on Zee 5.
Tanvi the Great
Directed by Anupam Kher, the film is about Tanvi Raina, an autistic woman. She wants to fulfil her late Father’s dream of saluting the Indian flag on Siachen Glacier. The 159 min film covers her struggle in the army to fulfil her dreams. The film raises awareness on Autism, and also portrays the valour of the Indian Army. It is available to watch on Zee 5.
Humans in the Loop
Directed by Aranya Sahay, the film follows the story of Nehma, an Adivasi girl from Jharkhand, who begins working as a data labeler training AI. The 74 min film explores the themes of AI biases on marginalizes communities and gendered implications of Technology.
Top Documentaries at CIFF
Life In Loom
Directed by Edmond Ranson, the film explore the lives of handloom weavers from 7 different states- Tamil Nadu, Gujrat, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh. It showcases crafts like Patan, Patola, Ringa, and the struggles of the artisans amidst Industrialization and globalization.
The documentary is not in wider distribution, but you watch a similar documentary, ‘Tana Bana: Wisdom of the Loom’ on Youtube.
Nanda School Of Tradition
Directed by Pranab Aich, it is a film about the centenarian Nanda Prusty, providing free education to children in his village. The man has been teaching for the past 70 years and runs an open air school called ‘Chatasali’. The film receive the ‘Best Documentary Award’ at Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival.
Culinary Heritage Of India
Directed by Pranjal Joshi, the documentary examines the culinary traditions of Kerala, Odisha, Mangalore and Awadh. It highlights deep cultural roots of food across diverse regions.
Back Then – The Story Of Live Music In Bombay
Directed by Anindita Dutta Roy and Abhishek Chandran, the documentary explores the live music scene during the 90’s and 2000’s.
Call Me Dancer
Directed by Leslie Champaine, the film documents the life and struggles of Manish- a street dancer from Mumbai. It explores the theme of career choices, traditions, taboo and one’s own passion towards dancing.
Something Like Cinema – Exploring Ray
Directed by Jaydip Mukherjee, the documentary explores the life and works of Satyajit Ray. One of the greatest director and screenwriter of the Indian cinema. The film deals with themes of influences and inspirations of Ray’s filmmaking.
The documentary is not yet in distribution. You can rather watch the enthralling ‘Satyajit Ray’ by Shayam Benegal documentary, available on Youtube.
Top Short Films screened at CIFF
Bahi – Tracing My Ancestors
Directed by Rachita Gorowala, it explores the Indian tradition where detailed ancestral records are maintained by priests in Haridwar, for several generations. The film is available to watch on Youtube.
Pankh – The Long Flight Home
Directed by Nandit Desai, it is part of the project ‘Virtual Bharat’. It is a tale of Migratory birds like Greater Flamingo, Greylag Geese, and Painted Stork. It is available to watch on Youtube.
Delong Padung : The Jewel of North East India
Directed by Kamal Nathani. Delong Padung’s name is synonymous with the rich folk music of the Adi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. He has been the winner of Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by Sangeet Natak Academy. You can find his performances on Youtube.
Prabhat Pheri
Directed by Mahendra Shrivas, the film revolves around the themes of devotion, spirituality and legacy. The title of the film translates to the ‘Morning Procession’ which is a crucial part of the protagonist’s life.
Aham Bharatam
Directed by Bharatbala, the film takes you on a journey of a civilization in continuum. Of a nation of rich history, culture, traditions, and landscapes.
Films from Regional Languages at CIFF
Sundarpur Chaos
Directed by Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, the Assamese film centers around Kingkor, a young boy whose life is deeply rooted in Assamese culture and the teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva. The film highlights issues of encroachment of land, illegal immigration, and many more socio-political concerns in the state.
Mukam Post Devancha Ghar
Directed by Sanket Mane, the Marathi film follows 6 year old, Jija who writes letters to God’s home, and the moral dilemma of the postman who responds to those letters.
Available to watch on Amazon Prime video
A Boy Who Dreamt Of Electricity
Directed by Jigar Madanlal Nagda, the Rajasthani film, tells the story of Bheru, a young tribal boy from a Rajasthani village, who strives to bring electricity to his home inspired by the solar panels he sees in the city.
Pavazha – Corals
Directed by Akanksha Sood Singh, the Malayalam film follows Idrees Babu who has studied marine biology, and dedicating his days to educating his community about Coral conservation. They are strengthening local networks to combat climate change and preserve their unique way of life against Climate Change.
Coral Bleaching and Coral deaths are real issues occurring at alarming rates. This will affect all of the ocean ecosystem, and is a big threat to coastal communities. The above documentary is not in wider circulation. To learn about corals, you can instead watch-
‘Chasing Coral’, a feature film by Netflix, or ‘Dying Coral Reefs’ documentary by BBC. Both are available to watch on Youtube.
Thaniye
Directed by Anavadya M S, the Malayalam short film is about an orphaned elephant calf, and explores the theme of human-animal conflict.
Mau: The Spirit dreams of Cheraw
Directed by Shilpika Bordoloi, the Mizo film explores the cultural significance of the Bamboo Dance performed by Mizo people and it’s spiritual relevance. The short film methodically explores indigenous knowledge systems, and leaves one curious for more.
You can watch the enticing dance performances on Youtube.
Speakers and Panel Discussions at CIFF
Some of the prominent and insightful discussions at the event were-
Madhur Bhandarkar – “India Lockdown: Cinematic Reflections from a Resilient Nation”
RS Prasanna – “Breaking Stereotypes and Making Culturally Inclusive Films”
FTII Masterclass on Foundations of Filmmaking
Overview
There was also supposed to be a Closing Ceremony and Awards Night on 10 August 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. The event also had a vintage film poster exhibition.
The venue overall was quite busy. I couldn’t make it for any panel discussions. The seats were very limited. I watched some good films though, especially the short films, but there was still quite a rush. And it was messy to remember the schedule properly and in which hall you have to be at what time to attend.
There was variety of food available. Quite more expensive than usual, but it was good quality. The staff was good. The ambience was outstanding. I would attend again, next year.
You can watch the trailers of most of the aforementioned films on Youtube.
