WORLD FILM SCREENING SCHEDULE
Immerse yourself in world cinema, award-winning anthropological films, and exclusive director welcome presentations at F5IFF 2026.
World Cinema & Anthropological Showcase
Living Cultures of Tulunadu- Bhutaradhane
Directed by Praveen K Shetty, Nitesh Anchan
Bhutaradhane, or Bhuta worship, is a revered ritual tradition practiced across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka collectively known as Tulunadu. Deeply rooted in the region’s cultural soul, Bhuta worship embodies the worldview and values of the Tulu people. Through its rituals, performances, and social structures, it reflects the many dimensions of life: social, economic, spiritual, and ethical. More than a ritualistic practice, it serves as a cultural forum for justice, harmony, and collective coexistence. This documentary explores the core philosophy of Bhutaradhane and its continuing significance in contemporary times, revealing how the wisdom woven into these traditions resonates with the essential values of human existence.
Pastures of The Gods
Directed by Anar Abbasov
To pull his business partner and close friend Oleg out of a deep depression, Moscow businessman Igor organizes a hunting trip to the Pamir Mountains with a group of friends. Their local guide, Sanzhar, leads them into the highlands, where near the sky dwell the proud ibex — guarded, according to Pamiri legend, by divine maidens called Peri. But the city dwellers fail to see their sacred beauty. For them, the ibex is merely an object of sport — one they have paid a great deal of money for. Gunshots ring out. Blood spills on the rocks. And the true faces of men — hidden beneath social masks in the sprawling metropolis — are laid bare. What begins as a hunt soon becomes a story where nothing is as it seems. The journey through snowstorms, avalanches, treacherous trails, raging rivers, and wild animal attacks turns into a labyrinth of life-or-death crossroads. Far from civilization, at an altitude of several thousand meters, each man is forced to make the most important choice of his life — and receives exactly what he deserves.
The Dooars World
Directed by Shaon Pritam Baral
Nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, brimming with extraordinary wildlife, are the Dooars (derived from the Sanskrit word "Dooar," meaning "Door" in English), a series of geographical corridors between India and Bhutan. From the elusive Red panda and the Himalayan salamander to the majestic Golden langur and the iconic Asian One-horned rhinos, this region is home to a breathtaking array of biodiversity. Immerse yourself in some stunning natural behaviour and rarely- seen footages of the lives of these creatures - from majestic Hornbills gliding through the canopy, to the stealthy presence of the King cobra and the delicate fluttering of 300 species of butterflies, this documentary showcases their world in all its natural grandeur. But there’s more. Amidst this patchwork landscape, the boundary between humans and our more-than-human counterparts blurs, revealing a captivating play of life between man and nature. This is a wildlife documentary; but it is not a documentary about wildlife alone. It is a compelling narrative that explores the various manifestations of coexistence within this remarkable ecosystem in its purest, most unfiltered form. That's the story of Dooars, the untamed passages of the Himalayas.
🍱 Lunch Break & Networking
Chasing Time
Directed by Sarah Keo and Jeff Orlowski
A meditative exploration of time and mortality, Chasing Time follows photographer James Balog and his team as they bring the 15-year Extreme Ice Survey project to a close. A beautiful tribute to the power of images, the Emmy-winning team behind Chasing Ice returns to unveil astounding visual evidence of climate change and spotlight the power of an intergenerational effort to seed hope and inspire action toward a sustainable future.
🎙️ Festival Award Ceremony
Important Notice: Screening dates, time slots, and venue halls are tentative and subject to change without prior notice due to operational exigencies.