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), accolades poured in for its role as a premier platform for independent filmmakers — free from syndicates, free from commercial clusters, and devoted to meaningful cinema.

The festival was held at the Anthropological Survey of India's auditorium at Salt Lake.“I am delighted to be part of this festival, where independent filmmakers like me can share our stories with 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.From Dhaka, Baishakhi Samaddar of the Dhaka International Film Festival was equally moved: “I was deeply touched by the intimate, warm atmosphere here. It feels less like a formal event and more like a gathering of passionate storytellers. Being part of this festival is truly a privilege.” Her sister, filmmaker Chaitali Somadder, showcased her film during the festival.

This year’s F5IFF screened 30 carefully curated films out of over 550 submissions from 69 countries.

Each work explored themes of environment, climate change, and human dignity — transforming the festival into a vibrant crossroads of art, activism, and awareness.The festival opened at the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) Auditorium with a celebration of the intrinsic bond between women and nature — both nurturing, both resilient, and both bearing the scars of exploitation.Four distinguished women — Mamata Shankar (actor, dancer, Padma Shri awardee), Prof.

Manoshi Roychowdhury (Co-Chairperson, Techno India), Gouri Basu (Ministry of Culture consultant), and Prof. Shaini Lihitkar (educationist) — together with Amit Ghosh, Deputy Director of AnSI, inaugurated the festival. Their presence set the tone for four days of cinematic storytelling devoted to climate justice, sustainability, and cultural memory.Gouri Basu: “F5IFF is not just a film festival but a platform for dialogue and collective action.

The legacy we leave must not be one of loss and depletion, but of renewal and responsibility.”Amit Ghosh: “We are overjoyed to collaborate. AnSI has already produced 55 documentaries, and we immediately agreed to support F5IFF for its environmental mission.”Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury: “What can be more evocative than film to tell us that our Mother Earth is in danger? Through such festivals, we can learn to create balance and build a greener future.”Mamata Shankar: “It is a privilege to be part of a platform where films from across the world unite us in global concerns. I am truly honoured.”Prof. Shaini Lihitkar: “This festival weaves cultural memory with critical thinking and a vision for a sustainable future. It captures what truly matters for the generations to come.”With its strong international participation, thematic sharpness, and powerful inauguration, F5IFF’25 reaffirmed its mission: to celebrate womanhood, protect Mother Earth, and position cinema as a catalyst for dialogue, empathy, and transformation.