Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The bustling 31st edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), organisers uncovered a major security breach when 357 counterfeit access cards were confiscated on Monday, sparking a formal investigation by the city police. 

The incident occurred at the main festival zone around Nandan-Rabindra Sadan, where cine-enthusiasts were streaming in for film screenings and events. Festival director Sharmistha Banerjee revealed at a press briefing that the bogus cards included fake press passes and guest-cards, raising concerns about unchecked entry by unauthorised persons. She expressed surprise that despite a system of free passes for some invitees, the sheer volume of fake cards pointed to a larger circulation of illicit entries. 

Alongside Banerjee, festival coordinator Pradip Kumar Sarkar confirmed that the local police have been informed and are conducting further probes into how these cards were produced, distributed and used on-site.  The authorities are reviewing the registration process, the printing of the passes, and whether any insiders might have facilitated the fraud.

Festival organisers appealed publicly to attendees, guests and media to avoid involvement with unverified passes, citing safety and security risks. “Our priority is the safety and smooth functioning of the festival,” Banerjee emphasised, asking anyone in possession of suspicious credentials to surrender them at the help-desk. 

The discovery cast a shadow over the usual glamour of the festival, which otherwise was witnessing strong public turnout despite being a weekday. The screening venues and related events continued, but enhanced checks at entrance points were promptly implemented. Security personnel started verifying guest credentials more rigorously and cross-matching pass numbers against the authorised guest list.

In the larger context, the festival takes place in a city known for its film-culture legacy, and this incident reminded organisers of the need for tighter access control and anti-fraud measures at cultural events of this scale. The fact that the fake cards included press passes is especially troubling given the trust placed on the media credentials at such festivals.

What happens next? The police investigation will aim to trace the origin of the counterfeit cards, identify any ring involved, and determine whether any non-invited persons gained access to restricted areas such as press rooms, green-rooms or VIP lounges. Based on findings, the festival authority may tighten the pass-issuance protocol, enhance biometric or digital verification for future editions, and impose stricter consequences for pass misuse.

For festival-goers and media professionals alike, the message is clear: only those holding legitimate, verified passes will be permitted, and compliance with security protocols is mandatory. The incident serves as a timely reminder that even in the celebratory atmosphere of a film festival, vigilance cannot be relaxed.

As KIFF continues through its scheduled screenings and cultural programmes, the organisers and law-enforcement bodies will be keeping a close eye on further irregularities and working in tandem to ensure that the festival remains a safe, inclusive and properly managed event.

If you’re attending, ensure your badge is registered, secure from tampering, and that you report any suspicious passes you encounter.