Sikkim will host the inaugural Sikkim International Film Festival (SIFF) in Gangtok from March 19 to 22, 2026, bringing filmmakers, artists, critics and cinema fans from 17 countries for screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions and industry meetings. The four-day festival aims to showcase national and international cinema while promoting Sikkim as an emerging destination for filmmaking and cultural exchange.
Organised by the Information & Public Relations (IPR) department in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), SIFF is framed around Chief Minister PS Golay’s vision for a creative, or “orange,” economy. The programme includes curated film screenings, special events and opportunities for co‑production and distribution partnerships.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, March 12, 2026, IPR secretary and festival director Annapurna Alley outlined the schedule and objectives. She said the festival will combine public screenings with industry-facing events and singled out an official masterclass by filmmaker Imtiaz Ali as a highlight.
“The film festival is not only about the glitz and glamour, but a strategic step towards establishing Sikkim as a recognized film destination for storytelling and creative collaboration,” Alley said, adding that the festival will help Sikkimese filmmakers, producers and actors pitch their work to a global audience.
The opening ceremony will be held at Manan Kendra and will feature a special screening of Satyajit Ray’s documentary Sikkim, presented in keeping with the state’s 50 years of statehood celebration. The festival will then move to PVR INOX at West Point Mall, where 38 films will be screened. The line-up includes entries from India, Russia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Latvia, Greece, Poland, Canada, South Korea, Argentina, Ireland, Venezuela and Bhutan, as well as works by Komeil Soheili and Jooyoung Soheili. The programme also includes three films from Sikkim and, for the first time at SIFF, two AI films.
On March 20, the SIFF Market will take place at Chintan Bhawan to encourage co‑production, distribution and industry partnerships through workshops, panels and press conferences. More than 30 guests are expected, among them actor-director Farhan Akhtar and diplomatic representatives from Venezuela, Iran and Ireland.
The winners of the SIFF short film competition will be announced on the inaugural day, with cash prizes of Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh for the top three entries. Festival participants come from Sikkim, North Bengal and neighbouring countries Nepal and Bhutan. The jury includes Sikkimese filmmakers Ugen Chopel, Samten Bhutia, Tribeny Rai and Prashant Rasaily.
Officials stressed the festival’s wider cultural and economic value. Yougan Tamang, chief minister’s press secretary and head of SIFF PR and communications, called SIFF “one of the mega events that the entire country will experience” and said a successful first edition could establish the festival as an annual calendar event. Tashi Tshering Bhutia, chairman of the Sikkim Music, Drama, Dance and Film Board, described SIFF as a milestone for strengthening local film culture and connecting Sikkim’s talent with investors and directors. IPR chairman Ashit Rai and NR Group CEO Nitesh Rohit said the festival presents a major opportunity to promote Sikkimese culture, tourism and creative industry growth.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/17-nations-to-participate-in-sikkim-international-film-festival
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