NEW DELHI, May 6: Film enthusiasts are in for a cinematic treat as the 17th Habitat Film Festival (HFF) is set to unfold from May 16 to 25 at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. This year’s edition offers a vibrant lineup of films from across the country, with a particularly strong representation from Northeast India.
The festival will spotlight six films from the region, providing audiences with a window into the diverse cultures and storytelling traditions of the Northeast. These include the Assamese films Tarikh and Baghjan, the Bodo film Bibo Binanao (My Three Sisters), the Manipuri films Boong and Langdai Ama (The Juncture), and the Galo-language film Karken.
Running for ten days, the festival will present a carefully curated selection of feature films, documentaries, and short films from 2024-25. Alongside screenings, the event will include filmmaker interactions, retrospectives, workshops, and book discussions, fostering rich exchanges between artists and audiences.
The HFF has established itself as a vital platform for filmmakers, cinephiles, and students, championing collective viewing and deeper engagement with cinematic narratives. Audiences can expect a high-quality viewing experience with Dolby Atmos sound and state-of-the-art projection technology, enhancing every frame of the festival’s diverse lineup.
This edition of the Habitat Film Festival will also pay homage to three towering figures of Indian cinema. A special tribute will honor Shyam Benegal, the pioneer of India’s parallel cinema movement; Aruna Vasudev, the eminent film scholar dubbed the “Mother of Asian Cinema” and founder of NETPAC; and Manoj Kumar, the beloved actor celebrated for his iconic patriotic roles. The tribute will include an exhibition, a retrospective of Shyam Benegal’s works, screenings of NETPAC award-winning films, and a presentation of Manoj Kumar’s classic, Upkaar.
In addition, the festival will commemorate the birth centenary of four cultural icons—Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, Mohammed Rafi, and Talat Mahmood. These celebrations will feature exclusive screenings, insightful discussions, and an exhibition showcasing vintage artistic posters from Raj Kapoor’s illustrious cinematic journey.
With selections spanning over 24 Indian languages, the Habitat Film Festival continues to affirm its commitment to showcasing the rich, multilingual tapestry of Indian cinema.
