DIFF’s 14th edition starts journey with ‘Homebound’

The 14th edition of Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF), known for showcasing independent cinema from India and across the globe started off its four-day journey on Thursday with India’s official entry to the Oscars, ‘Homebound’.

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, the film received an overwhelming response at DIFF, where it was screened simultaneously across three venues — the Hermann Gmeiner Hall and two inflatable digital theatres by PictureTime, set up at the basketball court and football ground of the Tibetan Children’s Village in Upper Dharamshala.

“It’s truly special to see Homebound open DIFF 2025 to such an overwhelming response,” said Neeraj Ghaywan in a video message. He could not be present due to the ongoing preparation for the film’s Oscar journey.

“I have a long-standing affection for this festival since I came here to show my debut film, ‘Masaan’. It is heart-warming to see the same passion from audiences who queue up for hours just for the love of cinema,” the filmmaker added.

Festival Directors Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, who have been curating this cinematic celebration in the Himalayan foothills for 14 years, said the festival continues to champion pathbreaking cinema from around the world while nurturing a meaningful space where artists and audiences connect over a shared love for the art of film.

“It’s always amazing for us to reach this point and realise that yet another edition of DIFF is underway. Every edition of DIFF has been special and this one is no different. We have a wonderful selection of films this year and more filmmakers than ever before are coming, and that makes us very happy because DIFF is all about celebrating indie cinema,” they said in a joint statement.

The first day of the festival also featured film screenings, including titles like ‘The Love That Remains’, ‘Brief History of a Family’, ‘Victoria’, ‘Cutting Through Rocks’, ‘By the Stream’, ‘Angammal’, ‘Bird of a Different Feather’, ‘Loving Karma’ and ‘The Love that Remains’.

The film ‘Bird of a Different Feather’ saw a special community screening which was attended by local kids with teachers of Woodwhistler School (from Naddi) and 18 kids from Gammru Village school.

The festival will also feature masterclasses with filmmakers and actors, including Kiran Rao, who will reflect on her cinematic journey, the changing landscape of independent film. The masterclass with award-winning actor Adil Hussain will shed light on how actors can inhabit characters authentically across diverse cultural contexts. The son of legendary Russian director Andrey Tarkovsky, Andrey A Tarkovsky will also be present to discuss the work and legacy of his father.