Screening over 70 films across 10 days, the festival brings the best of contemporary world cinema to Delhi, with Italy as the Focus Country for 2025
Cinephiles are in for a treat as the much-anticipated Habitat International Film Festival (HIFF) 2025 returns for its sixth edition at the India Habitat Centre (IHC) from March 21 to 30, 2025. This year’s festival promises an extraordinary cinematic experience, showcasing critically acclaimed films from nearly 15 countries, along with a special focus on Italy, the Focus Country for 2025.
The festival will feature a carefully curated selection of nearly 70 films, including multiple Oscar, BAFTA, Locarno, Cannes, and Berlinale award winners and nominees. In addition to contemporary world cinema, HIFF 2025 will celebrate legendary filmmakers by screening restored classics from Vittorio De Sica, Satyajit Ray, Federico Fellini, and more.
Highlighting the significance of this year’s edition, Vidyun Singh, Creative Head of Programmes, India Habitat Centre, shared, “For film lovers, HIFF 2025 is set to be a standout experience. Not only will audiences witness an outstanding lineup of award-winning and pathbreaking world cinema, but they will also have the rare opportunity to watch restored masterpieces from some of the most iconic filmmakers in history. Our gratitude to Italy, this year’s Focus Country, for bringing an exceptional selection of restored classics to the festival.”
The screenings will take place at The Stein Auditorium at IHC, which boasts a 4K projection system and Dolby Atmos Surround Sound, ensuring an unparalleled viewing experience. Beyond film screenings, the festival’s diverse programming will include documentaries, discussions, workshops, and masterclasses, covering themes such as women’s stories, LGBTQ+ narratives, and environmental issues.
The spotlight on Italian cinema has been curated by Stefano Francia di Celle, former Director of the Torino Film Festival and Head of RAI Movie Archive, in collaboration with Andrea Anastasio, Director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre. The focus is divided into two segments: a selection of contemporary films released in 2024 and a retrospective celebrating the centenary of legendary Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni.
Thanks to the pioneering efforts in cinema conservation, HIFF 2025 will showcase restored versions of Satyajit Ray’s The Apu Trilogy alongside Vittorio De Sica’s films, which deeply influenced Ray’s cinematic vision.
The Italian selection also features an Indo-Italian production, Goutam Ghose’s Parikrama, starring Marco Leonardi, the teenage star of Giuseppe Tornatore’s 1988 classic Cinema Paradiso, who returns as the protagonist three decades later.
Being held in March, the festival will continue its focus on women’s narratives on-screen, celebrating the works of several brilliant female directors.
Entry is Free. The festival is open to all.
Screening Schedule: Click here
