Habitat
Film Festival
May 3 - 12, 2024
The ten-day festival from May 3-12 brings a curated selection of feature films, documentaries and short films from 2023-24 where screenings and discussions with filmmakers intertwine with collateral events such as film retrospectives, screenwriting and production workshops, filmmaking masterclasses, and book discussions. As a beloved gathering for auteurs, cinephiles and students, HFF fosters a culture of collective viewing and sharing and is thrilled to present another exciting edition.
Film enthusiasts from Delhi are poised for an exceptional cinematic experience that also features a retrospective of visionary Indian director Kumar Shahani (1940-2024). Kumar Shahani is recognized for challenging conventional storytelling norms and championing the medium’s artistic potential.
An exciting exhibition showcasing Bollywood memorabilia from the seventies runs concurrently with the festival, supported by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI). Film Critic Guild’s package of award-winning short films promises a rich fare of emerging talent to be discovered.
Stay tuned for our further updates.
The 70s@NFDC-NFAI
An Exhibition of Iconic Hindi Film Posters & Publicity Material from the 1970s
May 3-12 | 10:00 am - 10:00 pm | Convention Centre Foyer, IHC
An exhibition of iconic Hindi film posters and publicity material from the blockbuster decade of 1970s. The exhibition is supported by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India.
From its inception in 1964, the NFDC-National Film Archive of India has counted as one of its primary mandates, the acquisition of film publicity material in its myriad avatars. This includes, among other material, posters, lobby cards, show cards, song and summary booklets, publicity stills and handbills. This exhibition, held in collaboration with the India Habitat Centre, celebrates the decade of the 1970s with posters and lobby cards that bring to the forefront a time of great visual and thematic adventure. From angry young men, long-lost siblings, flamboyant villains and glamorous divas in films like Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Sholay (1975) and Don (1978), the new revelations on the life and loves of the average Indian in films like Anand (1971), Rajnigandha (1974) and Chitchor (1976), and the rigorous filmic experimentations of the Indian New Wave in Garm Hava (1973), Duvidha (1973) and Ankur (1974), the images on display bring to life a decade which marked a turning point in Hindi cinema, with its powerful and enduring craft and style.
Screenwriting Workshop by Ashwini Malik
May 4, Sat | 9:00 am - 6:00 pm | Gulmohar, India Habitat Centre
Learn the craft of Screenwriting at an exclusive Screenwriting Workshop at Habitat Film Festival where the participants can delve into the art of crafting compelling screenplays with noted screenwriting mentor, Ashwini Malik.
Ashwini Malik is a Mumbai-based screenwriter, screenwriting mentor, script consultant and an independent filmmaker. A graduate of Film Direction from FTII, Pune, Ashwini has been teaching screenwriting at FTII and is currently senior faculty of screenwriting at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai. His selected film credits include Pine Cone (2024; co-writer), Maali (2018; writer-director), Monophobia (2012; writer-director), I Am (2010; dialogue writer), Road, Movie (2009; Hindi dialogue writer), Sorry Bhai (2008; writer), Bas Ek Pal (2006; dialogue writer), Clever & Lonely (2002; writer-director), among others.
Supported by Niv Art Movies.
Student fee: ₹1500 | Non-student fee: ₹1800.
Click below to view session details and register:
Kumar Shahani Retrospective
May 4, Sat at 6:30 pm | Stein Auditorium, IHC
Screening of Char Adhyay (35 mm/Hindi with Eng subs/1997/110 mins). The film will be introduced by the script writer of Char Adhyay, Udayan Vajpeyi, noted poet and translator.
May 6, Mon at 9:00 pm | The Theatre, IHC
Screening of Kasba / The Town (35mm/Hindi with Eng subs/1991/121 mins). The screening will be introduced by noted actor Mita Vasisht who plays the role of Tejo in Kasba. She has also collaborated with Kumar Shahani on Khayal Gatha (1989) and Var Var Vari (1987).
May 8, Wed at 7:00 pm | The Theatre, IHC
Screening of Maya Darpan / The Illusory Mirror (Hindi with Eng subs/1972/107 mins). Maya Darpan is Kumar Shahani’s debut feature. The screening will be introduced by Roshan Shahani, long-time collaborator of Shahani. She has collaborated with Shahani on Tarang (1984), Bhavantarana (1991) and Kumar Shahani on the River (2006).
Book Launch and Panel Discussion
May 4, Sat | 7:00 pm | Gulmohar, IHC
The Launch of "The Swinging Seventies: Stars, Style and Substance in Hindi Cinema", jointly edited by Nirupama Kotru & Shantanu Ray Chaudhary. Published by Om Books.
Followed by a panel discussion on Hindi Cinema of the 1970s:
“A turning point, the beginning of a new wave: a conversation about Hindi cinema of the 1970s”. Panelists: Avijit Ghosh, Aseem Chhabra, Gautam Chintamani, Jai Arjun Singh, Kaveree Bamzai and Uday Bhatia. In conversation with Nirupama Kotru.
Production Workshop led by industry experts
May 11, Sat | 9:00 am - 6:00 pm | Gulmohar, IHC
A workshop offering a unique opportunity to gain insights into the intricacies of Film Production led by industry experts. Sessions on - “Investment and Pitching” by Sanjay Gulati, Producer, Crawling Angel Films Delhi; “Film Distribution” by Rahul Merchant, CEO Runaway-Luminosity Distribution Mumbai, joining remotely via Google Meeti; “Film Festival Ecosystem & Marketing” by Aseem Chhabra, Festival Curator, New York Indian Festival.
Supported by Niv Art Movies.
Student fee: ₹1000 | Non-student fee: ₹1500.
Click below to view session details and register:
Registration Procedure
Dear Film Lovers,
Please read the below schedule and guidelines for booking your free passes
for the Habitat Film Festival-The Best of Pan Indian Cinema, May 3rd -May 12th
Registration which will open in phases.
Bookings open from April 24th to -April 28th for IHC members only.
During this special members' privilege window, IHC Members may book 2 passes per member for a maximum of 3 films per day for the entire festival.
From April 29th, Registrations will be open for ALL, as per the following schedule:
Please note: Registration is possible for a maximum of 3 films per day, with a maximum of 2 passes per show for all
Date | Members’ Registration | Non-Members’ Registration |
---|---|---|
24th April 2024 | Open for all days. | Not Open |
25th April 2024 | Open for all days. | Not Open |
26th April 2024 | Open for all days. | Not Open |
27th April 2024 | Open for all days. | Not Open |
28th April 2024 | Open for all days. | Not Open |
29th April 2024 | Open for May 3 only | Open for May 3 only |
30th April 2024 | Open for May 3 & 4 only | Open for May 3 & 4 only |
1st May 2024 | Open for May 3, 4 & 5 only | Open for May 3, 4 & 5 only |
2nd May 2024 | Open for May 3, 4, 5 & 6 May only | Open for May 3, 4, 5 & 6 only |
3rd May 2024 | Open for May 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 only | Open for May 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 only |
4th May 2024 | Open for May 4, 5, 6 & 7 & 8 only | Open for May 4, 5, 6 & 7 & 8 only |
5th May 2024 | Open for May 5 ,6, 7, 8 & 9 only | Open for May 5 ,6, 7, 8 & 9 only |
6th May 2024 | Open for May 6 ,7, 8, 9 & 10 only | Open for May 6 ,7, 8, 9 & 10 only |
7th May 2024 | Open for May 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 only | Open for May 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 only |
8th May 2024 | Open for May 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 only | Open for May 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 only |
9th May 2024 | Open for May, 9, 10, 11 & 12 only | Open for May, 9, 10, 11 & 12 only |
10th May 2024 | Open for May 10, 11 & 12 only | Open for May 10, 11 & 12 only |
11th May 2024 | Open for May 11 & 12 | Open for May 11 & 12 |
12th May 2024 | Open for May 12 | Open for May 12 |