For the first time, Delhi will host a grand film celebration , he Celebrating India Film Festival (CIFF) 2025 from August 8 to 10, just ahead of India’s 78th Independence Day. The three-day event will take place at the NCUI Auditorium on Siri Fort Road and promises to showcase India’s rich cinematic legacy through film screenings, live performances, and insightful discussions.
CIFF 2025 is being organised by Graphisads, in collaboration with key institutions like the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), the Film Critics Guild (FCG), and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). This collaboration ensures a blend of creative programming and expert-led sessions for both filmmakers and audiences.
The festival will feature a special selection of films, including National Award-winning director Madhur Bhandarkar’s 'India Lockdown', a newly restored 4K version of the 1981 classic 'Umrao Jaan', and Manoj Kumar’s patriotic drama 'Kranti'. Additionally, CIFF will host the world premiere of 'Aham Bharatam', a documentary by filmmaker Bharatbala, celebrating Indian identity and spirit.
CIFF 2025 will go beyond films by bringing music to center stage. Three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej will launch his new music video titled ‘Gandhi – Mantra of Compassion’. Playback singer Hema Sardesai will also perform live, adding a musical high to the celebrations.
The festival will feature interactive sessions with noted filmmakers and producers such as R.S. Prasanna, Divy Nidhi Sharma (Sitaare Zameen Par), Sudipto Sengupta (The Kerala Story), Amit Rai (Oh My God 2), and Gaurav Dhingra (Stolen). Popular Bollywood actors like Pavan Malhotra, Geetanjali Mishra, Hrishitaa Bhatt, Aastha Chaudhary, and Hemant Pandey will also share their experiences in both cinema and OTT.
Audiences can also enjoy a vintage Indian film poster exhibition from IGNCA’s BD Garg Collection. The Film Critics Guild will host a discussion on the legacy of Indian cinema, while FTII’s expert team will conduct a masterclass on filmmaking, aimed at nurturing young talent.
Several political leaders are expected to grace the event, including Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Vijender Gupta, Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra, MP Manoj Tiwari, and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. Their presence highlights the importance of cultural events in promoting national identity and heritage.
CIFF 2025 will explore themes such as environment, wildlife, heritage, spirituality, tourism, and patriotism, reflecting India’s diverse culture through the power of cinema. Organisers aim to make the festival a recurring cultural highlight in the capital.
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