Eastern India’s film landscape is set to enter a transformative era this January, as the International Kolkata Short Film Festival (IKSFF) proudly unveils its latest and most ambitious initiative — CineBridge. For the first time in Kolkata, independent filmmakers will be offered a dedicated platform to directly connect with producers, investors, OTT executives and major production houses — turning dreams into greenlit projects.
Set to debut on 24 January 2026 at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata, CineBridge is positioned as a cornerstone event within IKSFF 2026, delivering a market-driven ecosystem that empowers emerging storytellers to submit, pitch, connect and create on a global scale.
A Vision Born from Filmmakers’ Needs
“With the extraordinary filmmakers we’ve worked with over the years, it became clear that it’s time to go beyond screenings,” says Sourav Chakraborty, Chairman, IKSFF. “CineBridge is the natural progression — a space designed to turn creative visions into real-world opportunities.”
Inspired by major global markets like NFDC Film Bazaar, CineBridge aims to become Eastern India’s premier industry interaction hub. Here, filmmakers can:
• Pitch new ideas or films directly to decision makers
• Seek co-production or financing
• Find distribution and OTT buyers
• Build meaningful industry partnerships
• Showcase projects ready for acquisition
Major production houses including Little Lamb Production and EON Films from Mumbai, as well as several renowned OTT platforms and Kolkata-based studios, have already confirmed participation — a testament to the immense confidence around this new initiative.
A Festival with a Strong Legacy
CineBridge enters with the solid foundation of IKSFF — today recognized as Eastern India’s largest and most internationally celebrated short film festival. Since its inception in 2020, IKSFF has grown into a dynamic and inclusive cultural movement, welcoming hundreds of films from across continents and celebrating diversity in language, style, and cinematic expression.
Its hybrid model — online screenings on www.efilmzone.com along with offline events, masterclasses and seminars — has made it a favourite among aspiring filmmakers seeking both exposure and education.
Over the years, IKSFF has hosted notable personalities including Dr. Mohan Agashe, Moon Moon Sen, Barun Chanda, Paran Bandopadhyay, Joya Seal Ghosh, Pandit Bikram Ghosh, Anirban Bhattacharya, Bauddhayan Mukherji, among others, adding immense value and visibility to the festival.
Driven by passion and perseverance, the festival’s growth story is helmed by the duo Sourav Chakraborty and Saswati Guha Chakraborty, who came from completely different professional backgrounds but united through their deep love for cinema. Together, they have shaped IKSFF into a thriving creative destination — where emerging filmmakers discover both audience and opportunity.
“Our mission has always been to support the filmmaker’s entire journey,” shares Saswati Guha Chakraborty, Festival Director. “With CineBridge, we advance to the next step — giving creators the access, tools and network they need to move forward confidently.”
Festival Dates & Key Highlights
• IKSFF 2026: 20–25 January 2026
• Online Screenings: 20–24 January 2026 at www.efilmzone.com
• Venues: Adamas University, Sister Nivedita University, Rotary Sadan & more
• CineBridge Industry Platform: 24 January 2026 | Rotary Sadan
• Awards & Closing Ceremony: 25 January 2026 | Rotary Sadan
Registrations are now open. Filmmakers and producers can apply via:
👉 www.iksff.co.in/cinebridge.
IKSFF 2026: Insight. Innovation. Industry.
Under its Frames of Thought series, IKSFF 2026 presents three sharp, future-focused sessions:
🎯 Seminar | How will AI reshape the future of Cinema?
📍 20 Jan 2026 | Adamas University
Creative power vs. technological takeover.
🎯 Seminar | Do men’s emotion, struggle & losses hold no relevance in Cinema ?
📍 21 Jan 2026 | Sister Nivedita University
Rethinking masculinity on screen.
🎯 Masterclass | Cinema in the Digital Era
By Prof. Sanjay Mukhopadhyay
📍 21 Jan 2026 • 11 AM | Sister Nivedita University
Storytelling reshaped by digital disruption.
As the city of cinema and culture gears up for IKSFF 2026, CineBridge promises to shine as its most distinctive beacon — igniting collaborations, accelerating creativity and opening new investment pathways for stories waiting to be told. When the lights of IKSFF illuminate Kolkata, CineBridge will stand out as a milestone — marking the dawn of a powerful new era for independent filmmaking in Eastern India.
