Habitat International Film Festival 2025 celebrates Italian Cinema and Cultural Heritage
New Delhi – The Habitat International Film Festival (HIFF) 2025 proudly announces Italy as the Focus Country, presenting a rich cinematic showcase in collaboration with the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, Cineteca di Bologna, and L’Immagine Ritrovata. The festival will highlight contemporary Italian films alongside meticulously restored classics, offering Indian audiences a deep dive into Italy’s remarkable film legacy.
The Italian Focus at the HIFF 2025 also brings back the Italian Screens. Roberto Stabile, Head of the International Department at Cinecittà, stated, “We are delighted to return to New Delhi for the fourth edition of Italian Screens to showcase the best of contemporary Italian cinema and promote tax incentives for distribution and co-productions. Supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, this initiative also aims to strengthen Indo-Italian creative collaboration and present our funding opportunities.
Andrea Anastasio, Director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative: “Italy as the Focus Country at HIFF 2025 is a wonderful opportunity to share our deep-rooted passion for cinema with Indian audiences. Our approach has been twofold—showcasing outstanding contemporary films and highlighting the exceptional film restoration work done by Cineteca di Bologna and L’Immagine Ritrovata. These institutions have preserved cinematic heritage for future generations, ensuring that masterpieces are not lost to time.”
Curated by Stefano Francia di Celle, the Italian Focus program features two major segments: a selection of contemporary Italian films from 2024 and a retrospective dedicated to the legendary Marcello Mastroianni on his centenary.
“The Italian Focus at HIFF 2025 is divided into two segments—a selection of 2024’s finest contemporary films and a tribute to the legendary Marcello Mastroianni on his centenary. We aim to offer a broad spectrum of genres, from thrillers and dramas to romantic comedies and socially conscious films, reflecting the evolution of Italian cinema across generations,” Stefano explains.
He further adds, “We also pay special tribute to Marco Tullio Giordana, whose latest film, The Life Apart, a psychological thriller, will open the festival. The meticulously restored classics will allow audiences to relive the grandeur of Italian cinema’s golden age, particularly through the works of Federico Fellini and Vittorio De Sica. A highlight will be the restored Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray, whose work was deeply influenced by De Sica’s neorealism.”
“Additionally, Celine Pozzi from L’Immagine Ritrovata will conduct a workshop on film restoration, while our collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture will extend the discussion to preserving archaeological heritage. We are thrilled to bring these cinematic gems to India and celebrate the power of film as a cultural bridge,” Stefano rejoices.
“Cinema, like literature, nurtures creativity, fosters community, and keeps storytelling alive. In an era dominated by screens on our smartphones and laptops, it is vital to come together and experience the magic of the big screen. We are grateful to Cineteca di Bologna, the Italian Ministry of Culture, and all our collaborators for making this vision a reality. Special thanks to the India Habitat Centre for their unwavering support in bringing this festival to life,” sums up Andrea.
With a carefully curated selection of films and expert-led discussions, the Italian Focus at HIFF 2025 promises to be an unmissable celebration of cinema, bridging the past and present while strengthening Indo-Italian cultural ties.
Yours Sincerely,
Cultural Affairs PR