Two-day event on October 23–24 to feature international films, an AI hackathon, animation, gaming and digital storytelling
Lucknow: Lucknow is set to witness a vibrant convergence of cinema, technology and global creativity as the Lucknow Film Festival Season 4 and Imaginarium 2026 take place on October 23 and 24 at SRS Cinemas, The City Mall, Gomti Nagar. Organised by the Lucknow Film Forum, an initiative of the Amren Foundation, and supported by Uttar Pradesh Tourism, the two-day event will bring together filmmakers, creative professionals, academicians and emerging talent from India and abroad.
The festival’s central theme, ‘Framing Humanity—Stories Born Between Silence and Chaos’, will explore human emotions, social transformation and the power of storytelling to inspire change.
Building a Creative Ecosystem
Renuka Tandon, Founder-President of the Amren Foundation and Festival Director, envisions the festival as a platform that extends beyond film screenings to nurture a sustainable creative ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh. The initiative aims to connect filmmaking with education, technology, skill development and employment while providing wider recognition to local stories and talent.
In collaboration with the Lucknow Museum of Heritage and Art (LMHA), the programme will also develop into a six-month cultural initiative featuring weekly film screenings, panel discussions and artistic exchanges. An AI hackathon, organised in partnership with BBD, will introduce young participants to practical and creative applications of artificial intelligence.
The festival is expected to welcome several distinguished guests, including Dr Babita Chauhan, Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Women; Prof Rita Bahuguna Joshi; Amrit Abhijat; Navneet Sehgal; Justice Sanjay Mishra; and Santosh Ojha.
The advisory committee includes senior journalists Sunita Aron, A.P. Mishra, Itishree Mishra and Jyoti Kapur Das. Jyoti Kapur Das and Renuka Tandon are leading the creative direction, while Rochana Kumar is the festival programmer.
Imaginarium 2026: Exploring AI, Animation and Gaming
A major attraction will be Imaginarium 2026, dedicated to emerging possibilities in artificial intelligence, animation, gaming and digital storytelling.
A special segment curated by Tehzeeb Khurana will present Polish animated films, followed by a live question-and-answer session with two directors from Poland. AI-focused activities and masterclasses curated by Rajesh Bhatia will offer young participants insights into technological innovation, creative applications and future career opportunities.
Another highlight will be a masterclass on the making of Vaibhav Kumaresh’s film Return of the Jungle. A gaming panel moderated by Kirit Khurana, featuring Huzaifa and Lakshmi Raghava Kanolkar, will examine the growth of digital entertainment and the changing dynamics of the creative industry.
The festival will conclude with a screening of Paro, a film addressing the disturbing social issue of bridal slavery and encouraging audiences to reflect on wider social realities.
Two Days of Films and Innovation
The October 23 programme will feature the opening ceremony, selected international films, works by women directors, cultural performances and an awards ceremony.
The second day will focus on the AI hackathon, international animation, masterclasses on gaming and digital media, and the closing film.
Members of the Amren Foundation and Lucknow Film Forum, including Vandana Sehgal, Vandana Agarwal, Namita Gupta, Rachna Tandon, Vibha Agarwal, Sangeeta Banerjee, Shriyali, Usha Vishwakarma, Lakshmi Vishwakarma, Shalini Singh, Vibhu Kaushik, Lakshya, Shyan and Tadg, are contributing to the organisation of the event.
By bringing together Lucknow’s cultural heritage, international cinema and emerging technologies, the festival seeks to expand opportunities for filmmakers and young creators while strengthening the city’s position as an emerging centre for cinema, animation, gaming and digital media.
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