The three-day International Prayagraj Film Festival 2026 opened at Hotel Prayag Inn in Ashok Nagar, Prayagraj, on Friday, bringing together filmmakers, writers, artists and cultural figures to celebrate cinema, literature and culture.
Organised by Madhubala Films in association with Rotary Prayagraj Sangam, the inaugural ceremony was attended by former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Sudhir Narain Agarwal as Chief Guest.
Professor Yogendra Pratap Singh, Director of the Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute, presided over the event.
Dr Satpal Gulati, Managing Director of United Group of Institutions, and Additional Commissioner Dr Shamsher Jamdagni were among the distinguished guests.
Speakers highlighted cinema’s role in addressing social concerns, preserving cultural values and inspiring positive change. They further emphasised the festival’s potential to support emerging artists and strengthen Prayagraj’s cultural identity.
The second session featured the screening of Bhojpuri film Kawan Kasoor, jointly produced by Bharat Express News Network, Banaras Talkies and Jayant Media.
Starring Raj Singh, Gunjan Pant, Sonalika, Sushil Singh and Lalitesh Jha, the film received appreciation for its social message, subject and technical quality. Its family-friendly approach, however, aims to promote positive change in Bhojpuri cinema.
The third session, however, explored the relationship between cinema and poetry, featuring Dr Shlesh Gautam, Rahul Sharma, Professor Ranjit Singh and Neelam Tiwari.
Another session examined artificial intelligence in filmmaking, with contributions from Farhan Farooqui, Thakur Shiv Sagar Singh and Ratnesh Kumar Dixit.
Folk singer Swati Nirkhi and her team concluded the opening day with a cultural performance.
The festival continues on October 31 at Hotel Prayag Inn and concludes on November 1 at the MNIT Auditorium.
Organisers aim to promote Prayagraj’s cultural heritage internationally through film screenings, literary discussions and performances.
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