Cinematic Extravaganza: Dharamshala's 12th Edition Showcases Films from 40 Countries

When filmmakers and long time Dharamshala residents Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam started the Dharamshala International Film Festival in 2012, their main aim was to give the local community a platform to watch good alternative cinema. Over a decade now, DIFF has become one of India’s leading independent film festivals and draws audiences from across the country and further afield.

Published on:

07 Nov 2023, 5:22 am

Dharamshala- The 12th edition of the Dharamshala International Film Festival commenced, bringing together renowned filmmakers and enthusiasts from around the world. The festival, hosted in the serene mountain locale of Dharamshala, situated in the northern part of Himachal Pradesh at the foothills of the Dhauladhar mountain range, attracted visitors associated with the global film fraternity. McLeod Ganj, located in the upper region of Dharamshala, serves as the residence of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet. Often referred to as "Little Lhasa," this area has become home to many Tibetan refugees.

The festival, hosted at the Tibetan Children’s Village in Upper Dharamshala, features screenings of 94 films from 40 countries across four screens. Alongside these screenings, the event includes panel discussions, workshops, and Q&A sessions with filmmakers. Notably, non-English films showcased at the festival will be subtitled in English.

One of the highlights of the festival will be the premiere of "Dr. BR Ambedkar: Now and Then" on November 7th. This feature-length documentary, directed by Jyoti Nisha, a filmmaker based in Mumbai, offers a portrayal of the Dalit struggle through the perspectives of Dalit activists and politicians. The film, produced by Pa Ranjith, known for movies like Kabali and Kala, delves into the contemporary and historical aspects of the anti-caste movement. In an exclusive interview with The Mooknayak, Jyoti Nisha expressed that the film, from a woman's viewpoint, incorporates an Ambedkar feminist perspective.

Distinguished personalities from the film industry, such as Guneet Monga, the producer of films like Gangs of Wasseypur (1 and 2), The Lunchbox, and Masaan, and Deepa Mehta, a filmmaker based in Canada, graced the festival with their esteemed presence.

The 12th edition of the Dharamshala International Film Festival marks another milestone in its history. The inaugural edition took place on November 1, 2012, drawing notable filmmakers like Hansal Mehta and Umesh Kulkarni from India, Guy Davidi from Israel, Asif Kapadia from the UK, and Jennifer Fox from the US.