The 6th International Kolkata Short Film Festival (IKSFF) 2026 is set for January 20–25, 2026, and Kolkata is once again prepared to celebrate the power of short-form cinema. IKSFF 2026, recognized as the most renowned and longest-running short film festival in Eastern India, will be held in a hybrid format, combining online screenings on the eFilmZone platform with in-person screenings at various locations in Kolkata.

IKSFF 2026 will feature more than 300 short films from more than 34 countries this year. These films will be chosen from over 350 submissions and will include international, national, Bengal Panorama, documentaries, music videos, and advertisement films. The festival keeps promoting independent film while building a significant link between audiences, industry, and innovation.

The launch of CineBridge, Kolkata’s first platform for independent filmmakers to communicate with the industry and find a market, is a significant highlight of IKSFF 2026. CineBridge, which is set for January 24, 2026, at Rotary Sadan, will unite filmmakers, OTT platforms, producers, financiers, and top production houses from Kolkata and Mumbai. It will provide a crucial venue for networking, cooperation, and future collaborations.

Festival Schedule & Venues

20–22 January 2026: Adamas University

21 January 2026: Sister Nivedita University

23–25 January 2026: Rotary Sadan, Kolkata (2:00 PM – 10:00 PM daily)

The different curated seminars and masterclasses are as follows:

20 January | Seminar | Adamas University

How Artificial Intelligence Will Reshape the Future of Cinema​?

21 January | Seminar | Sister Nivedita University

Are Men’s Emotions Ignored in Cinema?

Both sessions will be hosted by noted producer and Festival Advisor Animesh Ganguly.

21 January | Masterclass | Sister Nivedita University

Cinema in the Digital Era by Prof. Sanjay Mukhopadhyay

More than thirty awards will be given out at IKSFF 2026, including recently added categories like Courage of Creation-Producer Award, Best Poster Design, and Best Sound Design. Along with a number of Memorial and Special Awards, the festival will also honor film with a Lifetime Achievement Award, demonstrating its dedication to honoring greatness across generations.

The festival lineup includes internationally acclaimed films such as Trezor the Dog (Russia), Black Balloons (Australia), If You Hear Me Over (Sri Lanka), and Ghost (Russia).

Indian highlights include Ulto Rajar Desh, RU BA RU, Tea Kottu, Beyond the Sands, and Echoes of Us.

The documentary section features impactful works like Baluka Kala: Sand Artist, The Turtle Warrior, and The Corpse Taker, along with several music videos and advertisement films.

Along with several seasoned and upcoming actors from all around India, IKSFF 2026 proudly presents films starring renowned and nationally famous performers like Sabitri Chatterjee and Rituparna Sengupta. Their involvement highlights the festival’s reputation as a venue for the fusion of independent and modern cinema with cinematic heritage.

IKSFF is still working on its digital project, ShortFlicks: The Short Film Hub, an official YouTube portal that provides revenue-sharing opportunities for filmmakers and guarantees that carefully chosen short films are seen by audiences well beyond the festival circuit.

The festival will end with a grand Closing and Award Ceremony on 25th January 2026 at Rotary Sadan.

Entry to all physical screenings and award events is free for all.

Priyanka Dutta