Chambal International Film Festival concludes, highlights film tourism in Rajasthan

The 9th edition of the Chambal International Film Festival concluded here on Sunday, with an emphasis on promoting film shooting in Rajasthan. The three-day festival, which featured world cinema from across the globe, concluded with an awards ceremony attended by Seema Biswas, known for her role in Bandit Queen. Biswas was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema Award. During the closing ceremony, she praised Kota for its growing potential as a film tourism destination, crediting the festival for highlighting the city's cinematic appeal. In her address, Biswas spoke about Indian cinema's rich tradition, its evolving themes, and global recognition, expressing optimism that the Chambal International Film Festival could gain international acclaim. She hailed the event as a platform for both new and seasoned filmmakers to showcase their creativity. Actor Abhinav Chaturvedi, known for his role in Hum Log, also attended the event, where he conducted masterclasses and shared insights into his film journey with Biswas. The festival hosted various discussions and sessions focusing on emerging trends in filmmaking, including the increasing role of women filmmakers, the impact of artificial intelligence, and new storytelling techniques. Festival director Dr Kapil Siddharth revealed that the festival had received entries from 101 countries, sparking significant audience interest. The films screened, which ranged from feature films to documentaries and experimental cinema, touched on a variety of social and cultural themes. Looking ahead, he announced that preparations for the 10th edition in 2027 have already begun, with film submissions pouring in from around the world. The event also saw the world premiere of Enchanting Mukundra, which received a warm response from the audience.