Dharamsala gears up to host International Film Festival

The picture-postcard town of Dharamsala is set to host the 14th edition of the Dharamsala International Film Festival (DIFF), a platform for independent cinema, at Tibetan Children’s Village from October 30 to November 2, said Ritu Sarin, founder of the event, in a joint press conference with the district administration here today.

Shilpi Beakta, Additional District Magistrate, Kangra, urged people to actively participate in the festival as the administration was wholeheartedly supporting it.

Over the past decade, the DIFF has emerged as a vital space for independent film-making — celebrated not only for the excellence of its curation but also for fostering a meaningful dialogue between film-makers, audiences and ideas, away from the pressures of the mainstream. Every year, it brings a global selection of ground-breaking films to the Himalayan foothills, along with master-classes and discussions that shape the future of indie cinema.

This year’s Opening Night Film, “Homebound” by Neeraj Ghaywan — India’s official entry to the 2026 Oscars —offers a poignant exploration of ambition, loyalty and rural realities. “We never set out to be one of India’s biggest film festivals,” say Festival Directors Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam. “We simply believed that meaningful cinema deserved a home in the mountains,” they add.

The DIFF is continuing last year’s partnership and is again collaborating with the Sydney Film Festival and showcasing two acclaimed Australian films – “Lesbian Space Princess” by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese and “The Wolves Always Come at Night” by Gabrielle Brady — strengthening artistic ties between India and Australia.

Asked if they have anything related to the recent monsoon devastation to show, Ritu said that there was a dedicated panel discussion on the environment in the Himalayan region. The highlights included a conversation with Kiran Rao, a master-class with Adil Hussain, and a special session with Andrey A. Tarkovsky on his father’s cinematic legacy.

Featured films include “I, The Song”, “Sabar Bonda”, “Kneecap”, “Orwell 2 2=5”, “Romeria” and “Cutting Through Rocks”. The festival will close with “Songs of Forgotten Trees” by Anuparna Roy, winner of the Orizzonti Award at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.

Against the snow-clad Dhauladhars, the DIFF-2025 promises a celebration of cinema rooted in artistry, inclusivity and integrity.