The first-ever Urban Climate Film Festival is scheduled to take place in New Town, Kolkata from June 3rd to June 5th, 2023. The festival aims to utilize the medium of film to raise awareness about the environmental, social, and economic impacts of climate change on urban settlements.
A total of 16 films from 12 countries will be screened during the festival. After each screening, there will be Q&A sessions with the filmmakers to facilitate discussions on building climate-resilient cities. The festival also aims to encourage the public to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors in line with the U20 priority areas and the Honorable Prime Minister’s call through the LiFE Mission.
The Urban Climate Film Festival was launched in New Delhi in March 2023 and is being organized by the National Institute of Urban Affairs through the CITIIS program, which is part of the U20 engagement events (the urban track of G20). The festival is supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union, and the New Town Kolkata Green Smart City Corporation Limited.
The festival received an overwhelming response to its global call for entries, with 150 films submitted from 20 countries. These films were evaluated by a jury consisting of experts in the field. The festival will culminate in a special closing ceremony on World Environment Day, June 5th, which will be attended by various dignitaries including the Consul General of France in Kolkata, the Managing Director of West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation, the Director of the National Institute of Urban Affairs, the CEO of NKGSCCL, and the Program Director of CITIIS.
Entry to the Urban Climate Film Festival is free and open to all. Attendees can access the screening schedule and register for the festival through the official website provided. The festival has already been successfully hosted in New Delhi and Mumbai, featuring curated films from India, France, Iran, the USA, and other countries, accompanied by panel discussions and interactive sessions with the audience.