Sikkim is set to have a new international film festival soon. The Government of Sikkim's Information and Public Relations Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation of India, are set to organise the inaugural Sikkim International Film Festival from March 19 to 22 in Gangtok.
This festival is going to present a carefully curated roster of both Indian and international films, bringing artists, filmmakers, critics and viewers all together under one roof. The initiative aims to position the state as a destination for cinema and cultural exchange that is more prominent than before. The endeavour also reflects the Sikkim government's growing focus on making the state's cultural and creative industries stronger, with it being envisioned in the form of a move towards creating more opportunities in cinema, the creative economy, and culture.
Sikkim International Film Festival is set to open with the BAFTA-winning Manipuri drama Boong, directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and backed by Farhan Akhtar. Films such as Bokshi (from Nepal) and Anomie (from Kerala) will also be part of the festival. Crew and cast members of the films are expected to take part in their screenings.
Directors and technicians from the festival selection are also expected to talk to audiences in Question and Answer sessions after the screenings. The event will host more than 40 professionals from the entertainment industry, including actors, producers, distributors, and journalists, taking part in the Sikkim International Film Festival Market and their industry-specific conversations.
The likes of Imtiaz Ali, Roshan Mathew, Abhishek Banerjee, Shubhangi Dutt, Anomie star Bhavna Menon, and producers Nitin Tej Ahuja, Jomon Jacob, and Mohit Choudhury are expected to grace the event.
