I View World Film Festival Returns to Delhi, Showcasing Cinema on Identity, Justice, and Belonging

The I View World Film Festival is set to return to the capital, opening on March 12 at Travancore Palace and running through March 16. Organized by Engendered, a transnational arts and human rights organization, the festival will feature screenings at both Travancore Palace and PVR ECX Chanakya.
This year’s festival will open with the premiere of My Melbourne, an anthology film crafted by four acclaimed Indian filmmakers - Onir, Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, and Kabir Khan- who collaborated with emerging creatives from underrepresented backgrounds. The film explores identity and belonging through the lens of authentic migrant experiences.
The red carpet opening is expected to draw an array of industry luminaries, including Imtiaz Ali, Onir, Kabir Khan, Shiladitya Bora, Anasuya Sengupta, Tathagata Ghosh, Hansal Mehta, Rituparna Sengupta, and Sanjay Suri.
“We are extremely happy to bring I View World back to New Delhi,” said festival director Myna Mukherjee, founder of Engendered. “Cinema serves as a powerful medium to spark universal conversations on identity, marginalization, gender, justice, migration, and more. With I View World, we hope to create global awareness around urgent issues that demand attention in today’s world.”
Celebrated filmmaker Imtiaz Ali echoed the sentiment, stating, “Cinema is a bridge that unites cultures, and this festival is a testament to that. It’s rare to see a project that so seamlessly blends multiple narratives while staying true to a shared vision of inclusivity.”
Director Onir added, “In a world where ‘othering’ and hate are on the rise, My Melbourne seeks to dismantle the image of the enemy. It’s about celebrating our shared humanity, nurturing love, and fostering empathy.”
The Shameless to be screened
The festival’s centerpiece will be the India premiere of The Shameless, directed and written by Konstantin Bojanov. Starring Anasuya Sengupta and Omara, and produced by Mohan Nadaar, the film debuted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where Sengupta won the Un Certain Regard award for Best Actress.
The film follows Renuka, a woman who escapes from a Delhi brothel after killing a policeman. Seeking refuge in a community of sex workers in northern India, she forms a deep bond with Devika, a young girl trapped in a life of prostitution. As their relationship turns into a forbidden romance, they embark on a perilous journey to evade the law and reclaim their freedom.
The festival will also feature the city premiere of Puratwan – The Ancient, directed by Suman Ghosh and produced by Rituparna Sengupta. The film marks the return of veteran actress Sharmila Tagore to Bengali cinema after a long hiatus.
Closing Night: Five Films for Freedom
The festival will conclude with Five Films for Freedom, an online global initiative celebrating LGBTQIA+ stories. Presented in partnership with the British Council and BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, the program offers free access to five films worldwide, inviting audiences to stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ communities.
Originally launched in New York as I View Film, the festival has evolved into a leading platform for human rights cinema, focusing on gender, marginalization, and contemporary culture. Since its debut in India in 2016, I View World has been Delhi’s only human rights film festival, bringing together voices from cinema, media, academia, and activism to engage audiences through the power of storytelling.
The organisers said in a statement,"As the festival returns for another edition, it continues to use the arts as a catalyst for meaningful conversations—an urgent reminder of the role cinema can play in shaping a more inclusive world."