Report
Anuradha Halder
BAJMC Sem 3
The four-day 9th Riturangam International Film Festival 2026 was held from August 27- 30, 2026 at Barasat Vidyasagar Mancha Municipality Hall, Barasat organised by the Ritu Rangam Natyakendra. The festival commemorated the contribution of the erstwhile director, Rituparno Ghosh. It brought together filmmakers, artists, students, literature and cinema enthusiasts at one platform to celebrate cinema. More than 50 films from India and other countries such as Italy, France and the USA, across different languages and genres were showcased.
ASCOPE team covered the final-day, which began with a beautiful classical Kathak performance by a talented team. The graceful movements, expressions and rhythmic presentation created an engaging start to the day's programme. Following the performance, the National Film Competition began at 12 p.m. A number of films were screened as part of the competition, including Gajon, Hymns of Nature by Debanjana Manji, Eti Tomar, an Assamese film by Purbis Ahmad, and The Last Voyage, a Bengali short fiction film by Bhaswati Roy. The films presented different stories and perspectives, making the screening session an interesting experience for the audience.
At 3:30 p.m., a special screening of Annapurna Bhavan was held. The approximately 30-minute short fiction film was directed by Rahul Biswas, the founder of the Riturangam International Film Festival. The screening added a special dimension to the day's programme as the audience got the opportunity to watch a work by the person who had played a key role in bringing the festival together.
At 4 p.m., the programme continued with the unveiling of a special issue of Kajari magazine, followed by a panel discussion featuring distinguished personalities from the film industry. The panel included Smt. Sreelekha Mukherji, National Award-winning actress and Jury Chairperson; Smt. Sarmistha Maiti, two-time National Award-winning filmmaker; Sri Rajdeep Paul, two-time National Award-winning filmmaker and alumnus of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute; Smt. Jayashree Bhattacharya, renowned filmmaker; Smt. Olivia Das, renowned sound designer; Sri Samrat Ray Chakraborty, award-winning independent filmmaker; and Partha Chakraborty, renowned film director.
The panel discussion focused particularly on short films and the art of storytelling. The speakers discussed the process of making short films, the importance of developing meaningful stories within a limited duration and the ways in which films can connect with and affect audiences. Their experiences and perspectives provided valuable insights into the creative and practical aspects of filmmaking. For students and aspiring filmmakers in the audience, the discussion offered an opportunity to understand cinema beyond simply watching a film on screen.
The next special screening took place at 4:30 p.m., when Kayantar was presented. The approximately 29-minute short fiction film was produced by Aurora Film Corporation and directed by Sarmistha Maiti and Rajdeep Paul. The screening further highlighted the festival's focus on short and independent films and provided the audience with another engaging cinematic experience.
At 5 p.m., the festival moved towards a master class and talk session, followed by the much-awaited award distribution ceremony. Several films received prizes and special recognition in different categories. Films such as The Last Voyage, Jhor, Ure Jabar Bayna, Neel Ghori and The Accused, among others, were recognised during the ceremony. The award distribution brought an atmosphere of excitement and appreciation as the festival acknowledged the creative efforts of filmmakers and artists.
The closing ceremony brought together the filmmakers, jury members, artists, participants and audience members who had been part of the festival, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere at the venue. The interactions among the guests and the audience continued even after the formal proceedings, with conversations around films, performances and the festival itself.
With the final awards being presented and the last moments of the programme filled with applause and appreciation, the 9th Riturangam International Film Festival 2026 came to a close. The four-day celebration stood as a vibrant gathering of cinema and creativity, while keeping the spirit of Rituparno Ghosh at its heart. The final day ended on a memorable note, bringing our second day at the festival to a fitting close.
