Bangladesh's absence from the upcoming Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) has sparked discussions about the state of cultural ties between the two neighbouring countries.  

Scheduled to begin on December 4, the festival will showcase 180 films from 29 countries, but none from Bangladesh. This omission comes despite Bangladesh's strong presence in other prominent festivals, such as the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, where its films were well-received.  

KIFF Chairman Gautam Ghosh attributed the absence of Bangladeshi films to political shifts and visa complications. Meanwhile, Indian films will still feature prominently at Bangladesh's Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF), set to begin its 23rd edition on January 11, 2025. 

DIFF will screen approximately 250 films from 75 countries, including Indian entries such as "In the Belly of a Tiger" by Siddharth Jatla, Soumik Roychowdhury's "Beline", and Srijit Mukherji's "Padatik", which is part of the Cinema of the World category.  

Ahmed Muztaba Zamal, the DIFF organiser, remarked on the situation, noting that KIFF is a government-sponsored event, while DIFF operates independently, allowing more flexibility in film selection. 

He emphasised DIFF's commitment to inclusivity, featuring films from India, Pakistan, and China without regard to political considerations.  

However, visa complications have limited the participation of Indian filmmakers and industry professionals at DIFF. Zamal also acknowledged that sponsorship challenges have led to a scaled-down festival this year. 

Despite these obstacles, DIFF remains committed to prioritising quality cinema over star-studded events, focusing on global storytelling and artistic excellence.

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