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The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) is back with its 23rd edition, running May 6–10, 2025, and this year’s festival is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. With 27 new films, two directorial debuts as bookends, and the return of IFFLA Industry Days as a full two-day event, this is a must-attend moment for anyone passionate about South Asian cinema.
🌟 Opening and Closing Nights: Fearless Debuts Take Center Stage
The festival opens with Varsha Bharath’s Bad Girl, a sharp Tamil coming-of-age drama that’s already made waves in Rotterdam. Produced by Vetrimaaran and presented by Anurag Kashyap, this is a story that refuses to play by the rules—just like its protagonist.
Closing out the festival is Lawrence Valin’s Little Jaffna, which premiered at Venice and shines a spotlight on the Tamil diaspora in Paris. It’s a timely exploration of cultural identity and community that lingers long after the credits roll.
🎥 A Diverse and Daring Lineup
This year’s selection includes films from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the U.S., U.K., and Canada, plus international co-productions with France, Singapore, and Norway. You’ll find:
- 7 narrative features
- 1 documentary feature
- 18 short films
- 2 episodes from a bold new TV anthology
- 2 world premieres, 6 North American premieres, 3 U.S. premieres, and 14 LA premieres
🎞️ Must-See Features Include:
- Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) – A groundbreaking queer narrative and Sundance Grand Jury winner
- The Fable – Raam Reddy returns with a mystery starring Manoj Bajpayee, Tillotama Shome, and Deepak Dobriyal
- Pooja, Sir – A gripping detective story from Deepak Rauniyar, set on the Nepalese border
- Village Rockstars 2 – A heartfelt follow-up to Rima Das’ coming-of-age classic
- Humans in the Loop – A mother-daughter story wrapped in the real-world implications of AI labor
- A Fly on the Wall – A stirring documentary on the right to die with dignity from Shonali Bose and Nilesh Maniyar
Also featured is Nuhash Humayun’s dark and thrilling TV series DUI Shaw, which blends psychological horror with Bangladesh’s social realities. The screening will be followed by a filmmaker masterclass with Humayun.
🚀 IFFLA Industry Days Return — Bigger and Bolder
Back by popular demand, IFFLA Industry Days returns May 8–9 as a two-day powerhouse for creative and career development. This year includes:
- IFFLA Connect – A brand-new project incubation platform with selected South Asian fiction features in development from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and North America, in partnership with Cinévesture
- Launchpad: Pitch Competition – 5 finalists will pitch live to a panel of Hollywood execs for a chance to win a $10,000 development grant
- Panels and Masterclasses – Explore AI in storytelling, global distribution, and more with industry leaders
🎞️ Shorts That Pack a Punch
IFFLA’s short film competition is once again a powerhouse, with 18 short films, 10 of which are directed by women. Standouts include:
- Am I The Skinniest Person You’ve Ever Seen – A deeply personal look at anorexia from Eisha Marjara
- Bunnyhood – A wild animated tale of betrayal and teenage angst
- bonVoyage pour monVoyage – An award-winning animated travelogue by Akshit Kumar
- Landscapes of Longing – A poetic meditation on migration and memory
Plus, don’t miss diaspora-driven shorts from Nik Dodani, Sunita Prasad, and Mehr Kaur, spotlighting South Asian voices in Los Angeles, New York, and beyond.
📍 Venues, Passes, and How to Join the Celebration
- 🎭 Opening and Closing Galas: Writers Guild Theater, Beverly Hills
- 🎬 All other screenings and events: Landmark Theatres Sunset, Los Angeles
- 🎟️ Get your passes now at indianfilmfestival.org
IFFLA 2025 is made possible by generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Joy of Sharing Foundation, and LA’s cultural agencies.
