21st Asian Women’s Film Festival to Spotlight Women’s Voices in New Delhi

The 21st edition of the Asian Women’s Film Festival (AWFF) will commence in New Delhi on Friday, celebrating the diverse stories and perspectives of women filmmakers from across Asia. Organized by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT), the three-day festival will be held at the India International Centre (IIC).

This year’s festival, curated by Bina Paul, will showcase approximately 75 films encompassing documentary, fiction, animation, and experimental genres. The program also includes discussions, masterclasses, and curated sessions designed to foster dialogue and collaboration within the film community.

“This year’s programme reflects the extraordinary diversity of women’s storytelling – from deeply personal narratives to films that engage with larger social and political realities. What makes the festival special is not just the films themselves but the conversations and connections that emerge around them,” said Ms. Paul.

Shadowbox to Close the Festival

The festival will conclude with a screening of Shadowbox (Bengali: Baksho Bondi), a 2025 Bengali-language drama co-directed by Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi. The film, which premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2025 [1], stars Tillotama Shome as Maya and explores themes of love, resilience, and the strength of working women against the backdrop of a Kolkata suburb. Shadowbox also features Chandan Bisht and Sayan Karmakar.

The film is a co-production between India, France, Spain, and the United States [1] and is produced by Naren Chandavarkar, Shaunak Sen, Aman Mann, and Saumyananda Sahi. Benedict Taylor and Naren Chandavarkar composed the music.

Recent Recognition

The Asian Women’s Film Festival recently highlighted Shadowbox on social media [2]. Director Tanushree Das and actress Tillotama Shome are scheduled to attend a screening and discussion following the closing film [3].

Event Schedule

The closing ceremony, featuring Shadowbox, is scheduled for 6:15 PM on March 13, 2026, at the C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre, New Delhi [4].