The Habitat International Film Festival (HIFF) returns for its 5th edition, celebrating diversity, womanhood, and visionary filmmaking, while promising cinephiles an eclectic cinematic journey spanning over 60 films from 30 countries. Scheduled from March 8th to 17th at the esteemed India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, this year’s edition spotlights Germany as the focus country, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi. As the festival kicks off on International Women’s Day, it proudly showcases a lineup that accentuates women directors and films addressing women-centric issues.
Director of India Habitat Centre, Sunit Tandon, expresses his excitement for the festival’s return to its full glory, stating, “The HIFF is back in its full-fledged form this year, with an exciting line-up of top-notch new cinema from across the world, with a focus on German cinema, a return of the much-loved and successful VR section, two masterclasses and sections featuring NETPAC Award winners and MUBI specials.” He commends the efforts of the Habitat Programmes team led by Vidyun Singh in curating this diverse and engaging selection.
Vidyun Singh, Creative Head Programmes at India Habitat Centre, shares her sentiment, emphasizing, “A festival of films that brings you a selection of the incredible talent of some of the best International filmmakers who craft narratives that cannot fail to touch hearts and evoke concern, empathy, sympathy, understanding, urgency, admiration, and hope.”
Katharina Görig, Director Programmes South Asia at Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi, highlights the diversity within the German film industry, ranging from established names like Margarethe von Trotta and Wim Wenders to emerging talents such as Ilker Catak and Frauke Finsterwalder. Görig shares, “Audiences will experience the gamut of human emotion across genres from feature films and documentaries to 360° films and Virtual Reality. Festival visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in interactions, masterclasses, and workshops with some of our guests from Germany.“
One of the highly anticipated films of the festival is the award-winning ‘The Teachers’ Lounge’ by İlker Çatak, which serves as the opening film. Steffi Niederzoll, director of ‹Seven Winters in Tehran,› speaks passionately about her film, which tells the story of Reyhaneh Jabbari, a symbol of resistance and women›s rights in Iran. Niederzoll aims to shed light on the broader context of injustices faced by women globally through Jabbari›s powerful narrative. Steffi explains, “My film is about Reyhaneh Jabbari, a 19-year-old woman from Iran who was convicted of murdering the man who tried to rape her in 2007. Her courageous protest against her wrongful conviction made her a symbol of resistance and women›s rights, not only in Iran, but also internationally. I am deeply honored to share Reyhaneh›s powerful story with the Habitat International Film Festival audience. Sexual assault is not limited to Iran; it is a global issue that affects both women and men.”
MUBI Special presents a curated selection of films at the festival, including ‹The Delinquents,› ‹Priscilla,› ‹Settlers,› and ‹Passages.› Svetlana Naudiyal, Programming Director, APAC, MUBI, describes these films as embarking on a heartfelt cinematic journey that explores themes of identity, love, and rebellion. “These films delicately explore the multifaceted realms of human experience, and in the process offer a rich emotional landscape which often speaks to the depths of our own experiences and aspirations,” reveals Naudiyal.
Diana Mickeviciene, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania in India, expresses her anticipation for the Lithuanian entry, ‹Slow,› a love story by the Lithuanian filmmaker Marija Kavtaradze that transcends conventional narratives, addressing issues of identity and romance. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023, where it won the Best Director award.
The festival›s sections offer thematic threads that captivate audiences. From the exploration of New Voices and Famous Filmmakers to the immersive experience of Virtual Reality with VROOOM, HIFF promises to engage and inspire. Italian filmmaker Matteo Garrone’s ‘Io Capitano’ is another important film to watch out for alongside ‘The Drunk’ from Portugal, and ‘Croma Kid’ from the Dominican Republic. The Coming-of-Age section, featuring films like ‹Mission Ulja Funk› and ‹One in A Million,› adds depth to the festival›s narrative palette.
Moreover, attendees have the opportunity to participate in masterclasses and workshops conducted by industry experts like film editor Kai Eiermann and Virtual Reality specialist Ulrich Schrauth. These sessions provide invaluable insights into the craft and technology behind filmmaking.
Women In Film is a prominent theme of this year›s festival, reflecting the spirit of International Women’s Day. The curation includes films by women directors and stories that empower and draw attention to women›s issues. Notable highlights include ‹The Peasants› and the closing film ‹Inshallah A Boy,› Jordan’s official entry to the Oscars 2023.
Dr. Marla Stukenberg, Regional Director at Goethe-Institut South Asia and Director at Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi, emphasizes the celebration of female filmmakers and stories within the German film selection. “Our collaboration this year, with Germany as the country of focus, is special as the showcased films will provide a many-sided look at diverse social realities and unique human experiences in Germany. While not an explicit goal, the selection celebrates female filmmakers, leading characters, and stories, often underrepresented in the past. The lineup features the latest films by luminaries like Margarethe von Trotta and Wim Wenders, as well as rising talents like Ilker Catak and Frauke Finsterwalder,» sums up Dr. Marla Stukenberg.
As the curtains rise on the 5th edition of Habitat International Film Festival, it promises to be a celebration of diversity, storytelling, and the power of cinema to inspire change and empathy.