KOLKATA, 21 October 2026 — MOJO PULSE Kolkata Events Desk. Kolkata is preparing to welcome international filmmakers and film enthusiasts as the third Fest5 International Film Festival (F5IFF) returns from 20 to 24 November 2026 at the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) Auditorium in Salt Lake Sector V. This year’s edition has attracted 647 film submissions from approximately 80 countries, according to the organisers, with a programme centred on youth voices, environmental awareness and cultural heritage.
Under the theme “Youth & Green,” the five-day festival aims to create a meeting point for independent cinema and conversations about the world beyond the screen. France has been named the festival’s focus country for 2026.
647 submissions, not 647 confirmed screenings
The scale of interest is one of this year’s defining headlines: 647 entries representing roughly 80 countries. That figure refers to films submitted for consideration, rather than the number that will screen in Kolkata. The final screening selection and session timetable should be checked with the festival before planning a visit.
F5IFF’s expanding reach follows its 2025 edition, which reported 525 entries from 69 countries at a July milestone. Later coverage of that edition reported more than 550 submissions by the opening in September, underlining why submission figures should be read in context rather than treated as the final screened-film count.
Why “Youth & Green” matters
While international cinema anchors the festival, the 2026 programme is being framed around stories of environmental change, community life and cultural preservation. Organisers have highlighted documentaries, short films and feature films alongside filmmaker interactions, cultural exchanges and discussions.
The festival’s Greenovation Challenge invites younger creators to approach climate issues through short-form filmmaking. Its stated areas of interest include practical subjects such as waste reduction, sustainable food systems and green mobility, connecting environmental questions with everyday life.
Films and projects to watch
Among the projects highlighted in the festival’s 2026 announcements is Life Near The Canal, a documentary created by young people connected with Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y), Howrah. Their involvement reflects the festival’s emphasis on making young participants storytellers rather than only spectators.
The organisers have also highlighted Maasai Eunoto, a film from Kenya exploring Maasai cultural traditions, as part of the wider international and anthropological perspectives being brought into the conversation.
With France in the spotlight, festival-goers can also expect a focus on French cinema and international cultural exchange. Specific film timings and access details remain subject to the published programme.
Building on the 2025 festival
The festival continues its association with the Anthropological Survey of India, an institution under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The AnSI auditorium also hosted the 2025 edition, which brought film screenings and conversations about culture, the environment and independent storytelling to Kolkata.
For Kolkata’s creative community, Fest5 offers an additional setting for independent filmmakers, students and cinema audiences to encounter international work beyond mainstream theatrical releases. The festival’s youth-led initiatives also place local stories, including those emerging from Howrah, within a wider cross-cultural programme.
Fest5 International Film Festival 2026: dates, venue and free passes
- Dates: Friday, 20 November to Tuesday, 24 November 2026
- Venue: Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) Auditorium, Salt Lake Sector V, Kolkata
- Festival theme: Youth & Green
- Focus country: France
- Audience entry: Free with advance registration; seating is limited
- Official website: f5iff.com
- Free audience pass: Register for an F5IFF 2026 pass
The organisers say registered attendees receive a digital QR-coded audience pass. Entry is subject to the festival’s programme and available seating. Visitors should book ahead and check the latest screening times and access guidance before travelling to Salt Lake.
What happens next
The festival is scheduled to conclude with an awards ceremony on 24 November. More screening and programme details are expected through the official festival channels as the event approaches. For audiences interested in films about the environment, heritage and emerging voices, F5IFF 2026 adds five days of international cinema to Kolkata’s November cultural calendar.
Event information is based on announcements by F5IFF and its festival and ticketing listings. Film-submission totals do not represent the confirmed screening count.
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