New Delhi’s Travancore Palace transformed into a dazzling hub of cinematic brilliance as the I View World Film Festival 2025 recently commenced, setting the stage for an extraordinary celebration of film, identity, and global storytelling. Organized by Engendered, a transnational arts and human rights organization, the festival continues to serve as a platform for thought-provoking conversations around gender, migration, and social justice, using the universal language of cinema.
The red carpet was graced by some of Indian cinema’s most celebrated filmmakers, including Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan, Onir, and Rima Das, who were present for the premiere of My Melbourne. The anthology film, a collaboration between four renowned Indian directors and emerging creatives from diverse backgrounds, delves into themes of identity and belonging, echoing the festival’s overarching ethos. Ali and Khan were also honored with the Engendered Impact Award, recognizing their commitment to impactful storytelling.
Festival director Myna Mukherjee passionately articulated the festival’s role in fostering crucial global discussions. “Cinema is a perfect getaway to open up universal conversations around identity, marginalities, justice, class, oppression, migration, and many other aspects of life. With I View World, we aim to create global awareness of issues that need urgent attention in today’s time and age,” she said.
Mukherjee elaborated on this year’s theme, Desh Pradesh. “The idea of home is increasingly complex. Migration has shaped civilizations, art, and cinema. People move in search of better futures, whether from rural to urban spaces or across continents. Our aim is to explore how identities are formed and redefined in this flux,” she explained.
Among the festival’s many highlights is the premiere of The Shameless, directed and written by Konstantin Bojanov. Featuring Anasuya Sengupta, Omara, and producer Mohan Nadaar, the film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where Sengupta won the Un Certain Regard award for Best Actress.
The film tells the story of Renuka, a woman who escapes from a Delhi brothel after a desperate act of violence, seeking refuge in a community of sex workers. There, she forms a deep bond with Devika, a young girl trapped in a similar fate, and together, they embark on a perilous journey toward freedom. The film’s raw and gripping narrative aligns seamlessly with the festival’s commitment to telling stories that challenge societal norms and amplify the voices of the marginalized.
Another standout feature at this year’s festival is the city premiere of Puratwan – The Ancient, directed by Suman Ghosh and starring Rituparna Sengupta. The film marks the highly anticipated return of veteran actor Sharmila Tagore to Bengalilanguage cinema.
The narrative follows Rittika, who returns to her ancestral home for her mother’s 80th birthday, only to uncover unsettling truths about her past. What begins as a seemingly routine family gathering evolves into a profound meditation on memory, reconciliation, and human existence. With its layered storytelling and philosophical undertones, the film serves as a moving exploration of identity and the passage of time.
The festival will conclude with the screening of Five Films for Freedom, a global initiative by the British Council in collaboration with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. This online celebration of queer narratives champions LGBTQIA+ rights worldwide, inviting audiences to engage with five powerful stories free of charge. In an era where queer communities still face systemic oppression and discrimination, the screening stands as an act of solidarity and resistance.
Since its inception in New York, I View World has evolved beyond a traditional annual festival into a yearround engagement with cinema that challenges and educates.Mukherjee noted, “We felt that hosting a festival once a year was a disservice. Now, we continue conversations throughout the year. Films like Laapataa Ladies and Deepa Mehta’s works have premiered with us, and we aim to create an evolving space for thoughtprovoking cinema.”
The festival’s growing focus on South Asian narratives is also significant. “South Asia is a melting pot of migration, identity shifts, and shared histories. Our curation reflects these themes while ensuring universality in storytelling,” Mukherjee added.
Mukherjee’s curatorial approach is deeply rooted in a multidisciplinary perspective. “Storytelling isn’t limited to one medium. My background in classical dance and performance art informs my approach to cinema. Everything—literature, poetry, theater—intersects. The festival is a space where these mediums converge to create a larger, more effective conversation,” she shared.
As the festival progresses, it reaffirms its commitment to being more than just a cinematic event—it is a movement that amplifies unheard voices, bridges cultural gaps, and ignites dialogue on critical social issues. With a stellar lineup of films