A special segment is dedicated to contemporary French women filmmakers. Renowned directors like Caroline Vignal, Celine Rouzet, and Elise Otzenberger are expected to present their latest works. The festival will also screen classic French films.

“Throughout the festival, there will be many interactions, seminars and symposiums. In one such session, Vidya Balan will speak with Sangeeta Dutta. R Balki will deliver the Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture. France is the focus country. Some young filmmakers are coming from France. We will try to have interactive sessions with all the women filmmakers from France,” said Chairman of KIFF Goutam Ghosh.

KIFF 2024 will feature a wide array of films, including 127 feature films, 28 short and documentary films, a curated selection of Indian language films, and Bengali Panorama films which are international competition entries. The festival will be held across 20 venues in Kolkata.

The 30th KIFF logo and theme song were unveiled by State Minister Aroop Biswas, Minister and Co-Chief Advisor Indranil Sen, KIFF members, and the festival’s Chairman, Goutam Ghosh on Friday.

“There will be 290 shows this year,” said Biswas. Sen said, “CM Mamata Banerjee has, since 2011, levelled up the KIFF.  It is not limited to only one venue. It is now held across different auditoriums. The CM had this vision of making West Bengal the gateway of Indian culture and we are proud that she has successfully done that.”