The Fest5 International Film Festival 2025 (F5IFF’25), themed “Culture for a Cause,” concluded on Monday, September 8, with a powerful message of cultural unity and environmental responsibility, while announcing France as the focus country for next year’s edition.
India’s long-standing cultural bond with France was celebrated with the screening of Free Party by French filmmaker Fabianny Deschamps, a documentary exploring Indian cultural narratives. The film not only premiered in India but also clinched Best Documentary and Best Director – Documentary awards. Deschamps’ presence at the festival and her vibrant interaction with audiences created a stir, as she spoke about her intrinsic connection with India.
The festival recognized outstanding works from across the globe. Indian premieres included Against the Tide by Atish Dipankar, which bagged Best Short Film and the Audience Choice Award.
Among the world premieres, Mariyam by Chaitali Somadder from Bangladesh received the Community and Culture Award, while Haim’s Story by Israeli filmmaker Tova Ascher won Best Director – Feature.
Best Debut Filmmaker: Indira Sanjay Baikerikar for The Second Wind
Best Feature Film & Best Cinematography – Feature: Steppe (Kazakhstan)
Best Script – Feature: Highly Explosive (BLINDGÄNGER) (Germany)
Satyajit Ray Student Film Award: Chhobiwala
Best Script – Documentary: Yamuna’s Sewage Treatment Plant by Arpit Arya
Best Director – Short Film: Ballad of the Mountain by Tarun Jain
Best Cinematography – Short Film: TT by Charles Leo Panadan
Best Film on Bibliophilia: Kitabi Masti (The Whispers of Change) by Vijay Bodhke
Best Script – Short Film: The Keeper of the Lake by Simone Bressello
Special recognition went to Bijoyar Pore by Abhijit SriDas, which won both a Merit Award and an Audience Choice Award.
Notable showcases also included Tryst with Times by Kanchan Mukhopadhyay, Manas, The Glory Revived by Dwiparn Kumar Dutta, and Malarin Khoda by Ayush Gurung and Priyanshu Kisku.
The four-day festival, hosted at the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) auditorium in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, featured screenings, discussions, and performances that highlighted cinema’s power as a medium of cultural convergence.
Distinguished guests at the inaugural included actor-dancer Mamata Shankar, academic Prof. Manoshi Roychowdhury, and ministry consultant Gauri Basu. On September 7, a thought-provoking talk show, “Cultural Roots – Future Wings,” saw experts like WBPCB Chairman Dr. Kalyan Rudra, Magept CEO Indraneel Goho, and environmentalist Dr. Swati Nandi Chakraborty underscore the links between culture and sustainability.
The closing award ceremony on September 8 was marked by tribal dance performances, Niharika Centre for Performing Arts’ choreography, and a stirring musical act by Nupur Chhanda Ghosh.
As the curtain fell, organizers announced that France will be the spotlight country at F5IFF’26, with all French films enjoying free entry and fee waivers. This decision reflects the festival’s aim to deepen Indo-French cultural ties while remaining true to its ethos of promoting environmental awareness, anthropology, and human stories.
Festival Director Sourav De summed it up: “We are overwhelmed by the response from filmmakers and audiences. With France as the focus country next year, F5IFF will continue to grow as a space for meaningful independent cinema and cultural dialogue.”