Gangtok: The European Union will join the Sikkim International Film Festival 2026 as a programme partner, marking a significant step toward strengthening cultural collaboration and artistic exchange between Europe and India, an official said.
The four-day film festival will be held in Gangtok from March 19 to 22.
In a statement, press secretary to the chief minister, Yougan Tamang, said the partnership reflects the state government’s continued support for artists and creative communities under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who has promoted the development of arts, cinema, fashion and cultural expression in Sikkim.
Tamang said the collaboration with the European Union also aligns with the broader objective of strengthening people-to-people engagement and cultural ties between Europe and India, as discussed during the EU–India Summit earlier this year.
As part of the partnership, audiences in Gangtok will get an opportunity to experience a range of cinematic voices from across Europe, encouraging dialogue and deeper cultural understanding through films.
Representatives from at least 10 EU member countries are expected to participate in the festival, with around ten films from these nations scheduled to be screened at different venues in the city during the event.
The festival is being organised by the Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Sikkim and the Sikkim Film Promotion Board, with support from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation.
Envisioned as an international platform for cinema in the Himalayan region, the festival aims to showcase acclaimed global films while also promoting local storytelling and creative exchanges in Sikkim and the Northeast.
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Officials said the event will bring filmmakers, artists and industry professionals from different parts of the world to Gangtok, helping position Sikkim on the global cultural and film tourism map while creating new opportunities for collaboration and growth in the state’s creative economy.
