Inspiration Meets Art: Day 3 of Kashmir World Film Festival shines with Sayyad Humayun Qaisar’s Masterclass and 11 powerful film screenings

SRINAGAR: The third day of the 5th Kashmir World Film Festival (KWFF) at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, unfolded as a captivating blend of cinematic learning and creative expression, drawing enthusiastic participation from filmmakers, students, and cinema lovers alike. The day began at 9:30 a.m. with an inspiring Masterclass by Mr. Sayyad Humayun Qaisar, a distinguished voice in cinema and storytelling.

His session focused on the art of visual narration, the evolving role of filmmakers in society, and the cultural significance of regional cinema. Attendees described the workshop as “insightful” and “deeply motivating,” highlighting Qaisar’s unique ability to blend artistic philosophy with real-world filmmaking experience.

As the morning gave way to afternoon, the festival transitioned into a vibrant showcase of creativity with 11 films screened from 12:00 noon onwards, representing a mosaic of languages, genres, and artistic visions.

The lineup for Day 3 featured a rich diversity of themes — from poetic resistance to personal confessions, environmental awareness to human resilience:

1. Aatish-e-Tilism – Dir. Anil Kumar & Özge Uyar (Hindi & English)
2. The Confession – Dir. Chandra Prasad Kumbasaram (Malayalam)
3. Un-titled: A Poetic Resistance – Dir. Syed Ahmad Rufai (English & Tibetan)
4. Pandhara Chivda – Dir. Milind Damle (Marathi)
5. Plastic Shama’ar – Dir. Ajaz Dar, Pakeeza Qureshi, Peerzada Sohaib (Urdu/Kashmiri)
6. KYC – Dir. Aravindan S.S. (Malayalam)
7. Punishing the Professor – Dir. Aayna (Tamil)
8. For A While – Kichukhon – Dir. Banamali Sarkar (Bengali)
9. Bhagni – Dir. Om Pal Singh Sambyal (Hindi)
10. Schau’n und Sand (Ramel o Zabad) – Dir. Roulan Jadan (Arabic, Germany)
11. ADIM – Primitive – Dir. Amitabha Chaterjee (Bengali)

Each film added its own hue to the festival’s cinematic palette — from experimental narratives to human stories rooted in realism — reflecting the growing global footprint of the Kashmir World Film Festival.

Looking Ahead:

The excitement continues tomorrow, November 4 (Day 4), as the festival will screen eight exceptional films from 12:00 noon onwards, representing a medley of languages and genres.

The Day 4 schedule features:

1. The Paper Boat (Kagazi Naav) – Dir. Aamir Amin & Lateef Lone (Kashmiri)
2. My Name is Imran – Dir. Abhishek Ganguli (Bengali)
3. Ulto Rajar Desh (Realm of the Ridiculous) – Dir. Rishav Datta (Bengali)
4. Ricard Dance – Dir. Shihab Ongallur (Malayalam)
5. Lincoln – Dir. Jeevan Mani (Tamil)
6. Malavazhi – Dir. Boban Govindan (Malayalam)
7. Taj Mahal – Dir. Niyaz Mujawar (Marathi)
8. Noya Manus – Dir. Sohel Rana Boyati (Bengali, Bangladesh)*

With its dynamic mix of international storytelling, regional pride, and cinematic craftsmanship, the Kashmir World Film Festival continues to bridge cultures and inspire new voices in the world of film.