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| 13th International Documentary Film Festival Noida Opens with Grandeur at Marwah Studios |
Noida: The prestigious 13th International Documentary Film Festival Noida was inaugurated with great enthusiasm at Marwah Studios, Film City Noida, celebrating the power of non-fiction cinema as a medium of truth, culture, and social change.
This year’s festival screened 135 outstanding films representing not only India but also a diverse range of countries, including Morocco, Chile, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, DPR Korea, Israel, Palestine, Russia, Portugal, Spain, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Italy, Mexico, Ecuador, and more, reaffirming its stature as a truly global platform.
Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of the Festival, in his inaugural address, shared the inspiring journey of the event. “Thirteen years ago, we started with nothing but an idea—to create a space for documentary filmmakers. Today, the International Documentary Film Festival Noida has grown into the second largest documentary film festival in India, bringing filmmakers from across the globe to one stage. This festival is not just about films—it’s about capturing reality, preserving culture, and inspiring change,” he said.
The evening witnessed a rich exchange of ideas with eminent dignitaries, cultural leaders, and filmmakers: Alfredo Caldera, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of Venezuela, congratulated the organizers and highlighted the importance of documentaries in promoting cross-cultural understanding. Avital Barak, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of Israel, spoke about the thriving documentary culture in Israel and encouraged Indo-Israeli collaborations.
Ruby Yadav, President of the BJP Women’s Cell, lauded Dr. Marwah’s vision in bringing the festival to such heights, calling it a milestone in India’s cultural calendar. Bhavna Tripathi, Former Video Editor at ICE Balaji, shared her personal filmmaking journey and underscored the challenges and beauty of documentaries. Pushkar Jha, Film Producer, spoke about starting his career with documentaries and his long association with Marwah Studios.
Joyoshree Arora, Renowned Actor, motivated filmmakers to capture life’s most precious and fleeting moments through their craft. Leonilde Callocchia, Deputy Director, Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, expressed gratitude for the recognition of Italian films at the festival. Manohar Singh Bisht, National Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker, inspired young creators to immerse themselves in deep research and consider documentaries as their true calling.
The festival was beautifully curated and coordinated by Festival Director Sushil Bharti, who also delivered the vote of thanks. All distinguished guests were felicitated with festival mementos and conferred with Life Memberships of the International Film and Television Club (IFTC) and International Film and Television Research Centre (IFTRC).
With vibrant participation, international recognition, and inspiring stories, the 13th International Documentary Film Festival Noida once again established itself as a beacon of documentary cinema in India and the world.
