Chennai International Film Festival 2025!

23rd Chennai International Film Festival 

The 23rd Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF) will be held from 11th December 2025 to 18th December 2025, organised by the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation (ICAF) with the support of the Government of Tamil Nadu and NFDC. This year’s edition promises an exciting global cinema experience with 122 films from 51 countries, including Oscar nominees, Cannes winners, and Berlin award-winning films says Festival Director Thangaraj.

SICA has arranged concessional passes for its members.

🎬 Venues

All festival screenings and events will take place at:

PVR INOX – Sathyam Cinemas, Royapettah

PVR INOX – Citi Centre, R.K. Salai

Opening Ceremony

11 December 2025, 6:00 PM

It was just an accident will be introduced to audiences by Ace film maker PS Vinothraj.

Venue: PVR INOX Cinemas – Sathyam Screen

Closing Ceremony

18 December 2025, 6:00 PM

Venue: PVR INOX Cinemas – Sathyam Screen

🎥 Key Highlights

122 films from 51 countries

Diplomats and filmmakers from around the world will attend

14 films listed for Oscars 2026

6 films awarded at Cannes Film Festival 2025

3 films awarded at Berlin Film Festival

Retrospectives of Wim Wenders and Karen Shakhnazarov

Country Focus: Russia (3 films)

🎞 Must-Watch Films List

Oscars 2026 listed  (14 Films)

Young Mothers,

The Things You Kill, A Poet,

100 Liters of Gold,

It Was Just an Accident,

Panopticon,

Sound of Falling,

The Love That Remains,

All That’s Left of You,

Obraz – The Tower of Strength,

Sentimental Value,

Magellan,

Sirāt,

Eagles of the Republic.

Cannes Film Festival 2025 – Winners (6 Films)

It Was Just an Accident (Palme d’Or winner), Sentimental Value, Sound of Falling, Young Mothers, The Little Sister, A Poet.

Berlin International Film Festival – Winners (3 Films)

Dreams (Sex Love) – Golden Berlin Bear winner, Kontinental ’25, Paternal Leave

📣 SICA Announcement

SICA (Southern Indian Cinematographers Association) has arranged festival passes for all its members at a special concessional fee of ₹500.

Public passes this year are priced at ₹1500.

SICA members are requested to register at the SICA Office before 9th December, 12 PM.

This year’s Chennai International Film Festival brings together some of the world’s finest films, acclaimed directors, and cinematic voices. With strong participation from international festivals such as Oscars, Cannes, Berlin, Busan, Fajr, Venice, Locarno, and San Sebastián, CIFF 2025 stands as one of the most important cultural events of the year.

SICA’s initiative to extend concessional festival passes ensures that its members can experience world cinema and engage with global filmmakers.

Article by

CJ Rajkumar

Author/ Cinematographer