Calcutta International Short Film Festival 2020 Postponed in light of COVID- 19 Pandemic

Event Originally Scheduled on June 19 – 21, 2020 at Basushree Cinema, Kolkata (India)

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

31^st March, 2020 - Kolkata, India:  This is an unprecedented time in our history. The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the health of our loved one, the businesses we rely upon, and the way we live our daily lives. As we all continue to navigate through this unique and evolving challenge, the Government of India has imposed travel restrictions with nationwide lockdown and forbidden all events with mass gatherings until further notice. As a festival organizer, we have to abide by these recommendations and obligations of our Government.

Therefore, out of caution and circumstances arose due to still-developing condition with COVID-19, the festival board of Calcutta International Short Film Festival 2020 has decided to postpone the festival until all travel restrictions for visiting filmmakers have been lifted, and most importantly, we can offer a joyful and relaxing experience without posing any additional risks or inconvenience to our guests, audience and the partners.

Though over the next few weeks, the festival committee will be working in consultation with the Filmmakers, Government bodies, Film Industry Professionals, and all the Partners of the event and announce a new series of dates, likely toward late August – Mid of September 2020.

Furthermore, these current circumstances have also unfavorably affected the number of submissions received at our end and we are getting inquiries regarding the prolongation of submission date. Hence, we are happy to elongate our submission date till 30th June 2020, keeping our current submission fees intact, which we assume will help the filmmakers to finish their submission to CISFF-2020.

Meanwhile, CISFF-2020 lends its support to all of those who firmly call on everyone to respect the general lockdown and ask to show solidarity in these difficult times for the entire world.