The New York Indian Film Festival Marks a Milestone 25 Years of Celebrating Indian Cinema
The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) is set to celebrate its silver jubilee with an exciting lineup that fuses the legacy of legendary filmmaker James Ivory and his connection to Indian cinema with contemporary icons, including the festival’s opening night star, Manoj Bajpai.
Festival Overview and Key Dates
Scheduled to take place from June 20th to June 22nd at the Angelica Theater in Manhattan’s Village East, the 25th edition of NYIFF promises a robust program that encapsulates the rich tapestry of Indian culture and artistry. One of the films highlighted this year includes the short documentary “The Moment of Arrested,” directed by Deve Benegal, which delves into the enduring relationship between Indian art and culture.
Opening Night Premiere
This year’s festival kicks off with the East Coast premiere of “The Fable,” featuring noted actor Manoj Bajpai alongside Priyanka Bose and Deepak Dobryal. The film is directed by Raam Reddy, whose debut film “Thithi” won the prestigious Golden Leopard award in Locarno and recently premiered at the Berlinale 2024.
A Tribute to Cinema’s Legacy
In celebration of the influential career of late director Sham Benegal, the festival will showcase a 4K restoration of his groundbreaking 1976 film “Mansun”—a poignant exploration of India’s white revolution that was featured in last year’s Cannes Classic section.
Highlighting Contemporary Works
Additionally, Anurag Kashyap’s noir thriller “Kennedy,” which debuted at Cannes, will be a noteworthy selection under the festival’s midnight section. The festival will conclude with the premiere of “Little Thomas,” a come-of-age dramedy from debut director Kausa Oza, featuring standout performances from Rashika Dougal and Garcamp Devaia.
A Vision for the Future
“What began as a grassroots platform has now become the global stage for independent Indian cinema,” expressed Festival Director Aceum Chahabra. “This year’s lineup is one of the most powerful and diverse we’ve ever presented.”
Diverse Programming
The festival will feature:
- 22 feature films, including 18 narratives and 4 documentaries
- 21 short films spanning over a dozen languages, including Tamil, Odia, Assamese, Hindi, and Malayalam
Some notable entries in this year’s collection include “Village Rock Star 2” by Limadas, “Ancient” marking Sharmila Tagore’s return to Bengali cinema, and “A Fly on the Wall,” a deeply personal documentary by Shonaribose and Nileshmanyal.
Continuing the Legacy
As NYIFF celebrates its 25th anniversary, Executive Director Sumangolamdi stated, “This festival is a space where the legacy of Indian cinema converges with its future. At this milestone, we are not merely reflecting on our past, but also paving the way for what lies ahead.”