Events

Explore the 12th Dharamshala International Film Festival: A Cinematic Extravaganza

The Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) is delighted to announce its much-anticipated 12th edition, featuring a captivating showcase of the latest outstanding independent films from India and around the globe. This year’s edition promises an eclectic array of cinematic gems that are set to captivate and inspire audiences, offering a unique platform for both established and emerging filmmakers to present their masterpieces. Beyond film screenings, the festival includes enlightening panel discussions and talks, providing a remarkable opportunity for film enthusiasts, budding filmmakers, and industry professionals to engage with the art of filmmaking and gain insights from accomplished filmmakers.

A New Home for DIFF 2023

For its 12th edition, the festival relocates to the serene Tibetan Children’s Village in Upper Dharamshala, allowing it to expand its horizons to a total of four screens. The on-ground edition of DIFF 2023 is scheduled to run from 4th to 7th November. However, for those unable to attend the physical event, a digital edition of DIFF 2023 will be available online from 8th to 14th November. The virtual edition will feature a curated lineup, showcasing only those films for which DIFF has obtained permission for online screenings. Stay tuned for more details and information on passes.

A New Direction in Programming

“This year, for the first time since we started the festival in 2012, we decided to take a step back from actively curating the programming ourselves. We were fortunate to have Bina Paul, an esteemed friend and former Artistic Director of the International Film Festival of Kerala, join us as the Director of Programming. Bina and her team, in collaboration with us, meticulously selected films after in-depth viewings and extensive discussions. Our perennial goal remains: to present the finest independent cinema from India and the world. We are thrilled with the final selection and assure our audiences that they are in for a cinematic feast!” declared the festival directors, Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam.

Live Screenings of Talented Filmmakers

International films will also be screened: Afire (Germany, 2022)by Christian Petzold; Autobiography (Indonesia, France, Singapore, Poland, Philippines, Germany, Qatar, 2022) by Makbul Mubarak; The Blue Caftan (France, Morocco, Belgium, Denmark, 2022) by Maryam Touzani; Frybread Face and Me (USA, 2023) by Billy Luther; In Our Day (South Korea, 2023) by Hong Sangsoo; Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (Vietnam, Singapore, France, Spain, 2023) by Thien An Pham; The New Boy (Australia, 2023) by Warwick Thornton; Paradise (India, Sri Lanka, 2023) by Prasanna Vithanage; Perfect Days (Japan, 2023) by Wim Wenders; Sultana’s Dream (Germany, Spain, 2023) by Isabel Herguera; Terrestrial Verses (Iran, 2023) by Alireza Khatami and Ali Asgari; World War III (Iran, 2022) by Houman Seyedi; The Mother of All Lies (Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, 2023) by Asmae El Moudir; and Theatre of Violence (Denmark, Germany, 2023) by Emil Langballe and Lukasz Konopa.

Varun Grover’s debut feature, All India Rank, is the Opening Night film of the 12th edition of Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF). Devashish Makhija’s Joram is the Closing Night film. Both directors will attend the festival and present their films.

Celebrated Tamil filmmaker Pa. Ranjith and Academy Award-winning producer Guneet Monga will headline engaging discussions and masterclasses, offering a unique opportunity for attendees to gain insights into the world of cinema.

In memory of Navroze Contractor, cinematographer and a key figure in Indian cinema, the festival will hold a special screening of one of the many films he shot – Deepa Dhanraj’s Something Like a War.

The renowned Malayalam film, Kummatty, by Govindan Aravindan, meticulously restored by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project, Film Heritage Foundation, and Cineteca di Bologna, will also be screened at the festival

Indian highlights include: the World Premiere of Bottle Radha (India, 2023), produced by Pa. Ranjith and directed by Dhinakaran Sivalingam;

A Match (Sthal) (India, 2023) by Jayant Digambar Somalkar; Family (India, 2023) by Don Palathara; Joram (India, 2022) by Devashish Makhija; All India Rank (India, 2022) by Varun Grover;

Amar Colony (India, 2022) by Siddharth Chauhan; The Lotus And The Swan (India, 2023) by Nirmal Chander; Follower (India, 2023) by Harshad Nalawade; Tora’s Husband by Rima Das (India, 2022); The Winter Within (Maagh) (India, France, Qatar, 2022) by Aamir Bashir; and Guras (India, Nepal, 2022) by Saurav Rai; Non-fiction highlights include: And, Towards Happy Alleys (Be Kucheye Khoshbakht) (India, 2023)by Sreemoyee Singh; The World Is Family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam) (India, 2023) by Anand Patwardhan; Against The Tide (India, France, 2023) by Sarvnik Kaur; Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Now & Then (India, 2023) by Jyoti Nisha; While We Watched (Namaskar Main Ravish Kumar) (India, 2022) by Vinay Shukla; Our Film (Mhara Pichchar) (India, UK, 2023) by Dakxin Chhara; and The Golden Thread (Paat Katha) (India, 2022) by Nishtha Jain.

Star-Studded Presence

The 12th DIFF will witness the presence of renowned Indian celebrities, including Roshan Matthew and Darshana Rajendran. Moreover, the festival will host a multitude of esteemed Indian filmmakers, such as Pa.Ranjith, Dhinakaran Sivalingam, Varun Grover, Nishtha Jain, Sreemoyee Singh, Anand Patwardhan, Devashish Makhija, Don Palathara, Dominic Sangma, Jayant Digambar Somalkar, and Harshad Nalawade.

International filmmakers Prasanna Vithanage (Sri Lanka), Sepideh Farsi (France), Clara Kraft Isono (UK), and Rajan Kathet (Nepal) are also set to grace the festival with their presence.

Don’t miss the 12th Dharamshala International Film Festival—a cinematic extravaganza that promises to be an unforgettable experience, bringing the best of independent cinema to the forefront.