For lovers of Italian cinema, this is a moment to revel in its legacy. From the stark realism of Italian neorealism to the dreamlike excesses of Fellini, Italian cinema has defined and redefined itself across decades, influencing filmmakers, critics, and audiences alike.
The Habitat International Film Festival (HIFF) 2025, beig held at the India Habitat Centre from 21 to 30 March 2025, is poised to be an unmissable event for cinephiles, a grand stage where the rich heritage of Italian cinema is being celebrated with unparalleled fervor. This year’s festival, in collaboration with the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, the India Habitat Centre, Cineteca di Bologna, and L’Immagine Ritrovata, is showcasing a specially curated selection of iconic and contemporary Italian films. The Italian Focus at HIFF 2025 is not merely an exhibition of cinema but an ode to a nation whose contribution to the art form has been as profound as it is timeless.
For lovers of Italian cinema, this is a moment to revel in its legacy. From the stark realism of Italian neorealism to the dreamlike excesses of Fellini, Italian cinema has defined and redefined itself across decades, influencing filmmakers, critics, and audiences alike. Andrea Anastasio, renowned artist and director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, rejoices, “Italy as the Focus Country at HIFF 2025 is a wonderful opportunity to share our deep-rooted passion for cinema with Indian audiences. Our approach has been twofold—showcasing outstanding contemporary films and highlighting the exceptional film restoration work done by Cineteca di Bologna and L’Immagine Ritrovata. These institutions have preserved cinematic heritage for future generations, ensuring that masterpieces are not lost to time.”
The Italian showcase at HIFF 2025 is not simply a nostalgic gaze into the past but a dynamic, living tribute to the ever-evolving landscape of Italian storytelling. The festival will juxtapose the classics—films that shaped the grammar of world cinema—with contemporary masterpieces that continue to push boundaries.
The curated lineup includes Vittorio De Sica’s ‘Shoeshine,’ an emblem of neorealism whose emotional resonance remains undiminished, and Federico Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita,’ a film that enshrined Marcello Mastroianni as the very essence of Italian sophistication and existential yearning.
These films, and many more, remain cornerstones of cinematic history, speaking across generations in a language that is universally understood—humanity.
Curated by Stefano Francia di Celle, former artistic director of the Turin Film Festival who presently heads film and series programming for Rai television, the Italian Focus program is designed to offer a panoramic view of Italian cinema, both old and new. It is divided into two segments: a collection of contemporary Italian films from 2024 and a centenary tribute to the legendary Marcello Mastroianni—a name synonymous with charm, introspection, and the golden age of Italian film.
“The Italian Focus at HIFF 2025 has two segments—a selection of 2024’s finest contemporary films and a tribute to the legendary Marcello Mastroianni on his centenary. We aim to offer a broad spectrum of genres, from thrillers and dramas to romantic comedies and socially conscious films, reflecting the evolution of Italian cinema across generations,” Stefano explains.
Among the highlights of the festival is the opening film, ‘The Life Apart,’ a psychological thriller by Marco Tullio Giordana. Giordana, known for his masterful storytelling and keen psychological insight, offers a film that exemplifies the best of contemporary Italian cinema—bold, introspective, and unafraid to explore the depths of human emotion. Alongside modern films, the meticulously restored classics promise to be an experience of their own, allowing audiences to step into a time when Italian cinema was at its most powerful.
One of the standout features of the festival is a unique screening of Satyajit Ray’s ‘Apu Trilogy,’ newly restored and presented as a testament to the artistic kinship between Ray and Italian neorealism. Ray often cited Vittorio De Sica’s nearealistic masterworks such as ‘Shoeshine’ as a profound influence, and in showcasing these films side by side, the festival highlights the interconnectedness of global cinema.
On the sidelines, the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, will also be screening Milo Adami’s documentaries at Humayun’s Tomb Museum. A public talk featuring filmmaker Milo Adami, actor Giuseppe Cederna, Andrea Anastasio and cultural experts will explore heritage, democracy, and cinema’s role in fostering public awareness on March 26.
But HIFF 2025 is not just about passive viewing—it is an invitation to engage, discuss, and learn. Celine Pozzi from L’Immagine Ritrovata will conduct an exclusive workshop on the meticulous art of film restoration, shedding light on the painstaking process that allows films to transcend the ravages of time. Further enriching this exchange, the festival’s collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture will introduce a discourse on preserving archaeological heritage alongside filmic treasures, offering a multidisciplinary perspective on the importance of conservation.
The Habitat International Film Festival has long established itself as a platform for cross-cultural dialogue, and this year’s focus on Italy reinforces the deep artistic and cultural ties between Italian and Indian cinema. Both nations share a storytelling tradition that is deeply emotive, richly visual, and unapologetically poetic. With the rising appetite for world cinema among Indian audiences, the timing for such a collaboration could not be more perfect.
Beyond the screenings, the festival will host an array of discussions, masterclasses, and interactions with Italian filmmakers, critics, and scholars. These sessions promise to be a treasure trove of knowledge, offering insights into Italy’s cinematic legacy while fostering exchanges between Indian and Italian cinephiles, students, and industry professionals. For aspiring filmmakers and devoted cinephiles, this is a rare opportunity to delve into the minds of some of the most revered figures in the world of film.
At its heart, the Italian film showcase at HIFF 2025 is more than just a retrospective—it is a celebration of the essence of cinema itself. Whether it is the melancholic beauty of De Sica’s storytelling, the baroque grandeur of Fellini’s visions, or the incisive modern narratives shaping Italy’s contemporary film landscape, the festival offers an experience that is both timeless and urgently relevant.
Andrea Anastasio encapsulates the spirit of this celebration with eloquence, “Cinema, like literature, nurtures creativity, fosters community, and keeps storytelling alive. In an era dominated by screens on our smartphones and laptops, it is vital to come together and experience the magic of the big screen. We are grateful to Cineteca di Bologna, the Italian Ministry of Culture, and all our collaborators for making this vision a reality. Special thanks to the India Habitat Centre for their unwavering support in bringing this festival to life.”
As HIFF 2025 unfolds, it promises to be a grand celebration of cinema’s power to unite cultures, inspire minds, and create moments that linger long after the credits roll. It is an invitation to lose oneself in the beauty of Italian storytelling, to rediscover classics, to embrace the new, and above all, to reaffirm our collective love for the art form that binds us across time and space. In the dim glow of the theater, as the frames flicker to life, cinephiles will be reminded once again why Italian cinema remains a beacon of artistic brilliance—a testament to its undying allure and its infinite capacity to move, enchant, and inspire.