F5IFF’25 Unites Films Worldwide Celebrating Climate Awareness

Kolkata, Sep 5 (PTI) Thirty exceptional films from around the globe have been selected for presentation at the four-day Fest5 International Film Festival (F5IFF’25), which kicked off at the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) auditorium on Friday.

The festival's theme focuses on climate consciousness and has received over 550 film submissions from 69 countries, showcasing its rapidly growing international acclaim.

"Thirty films were selected for screening," revealed F5IFF director Sourav De.

In her inaugural address at the film festival, Padma Shri honoree and iconic actor Mamata Shankar remarked, "Cinema has always served as a reflection of society, and an event like F5IFF, which emphasizes environment, climate change, and human dignity, is profoundly pertinent in today's era." She further added, "Through this festival, voices from across the globe unite to advocate for nature, culture, and humanity. F5IFF transcends being just a festival—it's a movement that motivates us to ponder, to empathize, and to act for a better future."

Prof BV Sharma, director of the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) that partnered with the film festival, stated, "The festival's emphasis on environment and climate change aligns closely with our mission of understanding the relationship between communities and their ecological surroundings. F5IFF'25 serves as a platform where culture, science, and sustainability converge for an international audience."

Over its four days, F5IFF'25 will gather filmmakers, film enthusiasts, distributors, and producers from various parts of the world for a blend of screenings, discussions, and networking opportunities.

This year, F5IFF has also introduced two novel categories: Bibliophilia, a special section that honors films about books, libraries, reading cultures, and literary movements, paying homage to Kolkata's vibrant literary heritage; and Anthropology and Cinema, a new segment that features films examining the intersection of anthropology, human societies, and environmental narratives.