As a centenary tribute to Satyajit Ray, Bangla Abar Inc., in collaboration with Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) and the information and broadcasting ministry, government of India, organised the first Bengal International Film Festival (BIFF) at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute campus on EM Bypass from March 24-27.
Inaugurated by West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose, the four-day festival featured screenings of 12 feature films of diverse genres in several Indian and foreign languages, besides short films, panel discussions, students’ masterclasses, live concerts along with a students’ pavilion. On the inaugural evening, veteran actors like Ranjit Mallick, Sabitri Chatterjee, Madhabi Mukherjee and Rudraprasad Sengupta were felicitated and presented lifetime achievement awards for their contributions to the stage and screen. The occasion was also graced by many other distinguished personalities from all walks of life and witnessed an interactive session participated by luminous personalities of the film industry, film students and audience on the future of Bengali films and its place in Indian and world cinema. Satyajit Ray’s political satire Hirak Rajar Deshe was screened on the first day of the festival.
Following the inaugural day’s programme, a glittering party and dinner was hosted at JW Marriott Kolkata where actors, guests and dignitaries including consul generals of 14 countries were present. Glimpses from the inauguration and party that followed.
Festival director Sanghamitra Chaudhuri (centre) and Pritam Sarkar (extreme right) organising secretary BIFF, with Kelly Froio (extreme left) and Jason Froio (second from left) of the US consulate.
Koneenica Banerjee (third from left) and Imran Zaki (third from right) with Chinese Consul General Zha Liyou (centre) and other consulate guests.
Nepal consul general Eshor Raj Poude
Jyotee Khaitan
Anindya Pulak Banerjee
Bhaswar Chatterjee
Mirza Ismat Farhad (Fahim)
Sudarshan Chakravorty
SRFTI director. Himanshu Sekhar Khatua
Runa Laha
Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee
Rupanjana Mitra
Saurav Sikdar and Sanghamitra Chaudhuri