Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles to Kick Off on May 6

Wed,April 2,2025

The 23rd Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) announced its 2025 lineup, maintaining its role as the country's leading South Asian film showcase in the United States. Now in its second decade, over 20 years, IFFLA has presented innovative storytelling and emerging talent, and the lineup for 2025 is its best yet of South Asian film. 

The festival will begin with Varsha Bharath's directorial debut, Bad Girl, and end with Lawrence Valin's directorial debut, Little Jaffna, with stories that resonate South Asian culture. 

The festival will run from May 6-10, 2025, at Landmark Theatres Sunset and the WGA Theatre. Tickets, passes, and gala access are available now at www.indianfilmfestival.org.

Building on last year's success, IFFLA 2025 is expanding its Industry Day into a two-day program with the goal of fostering connections and business opportunities for South Asian filmmakers. 

This year, an opportunity to win a Pitch Competition Grant for $10,000 is also possible.

The festival features a varied range of South Asian films from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the U.S., the U.K., and Canada, along with international co-productions from France, Singapore, and Norway. 

IFFLA 2025 will present 27 films, which include seven narrative features, one documentary, 18 short films, and a special two-episode screening of an anthology series. 

The festival will include two world premieres, six North American premieres, three U.S. premieres, and 14 Los Angeles premieres, featuring a unique panorama of fresh faces and perspectives.

IFFLA Artistic Director Anu Rangachar emphasized that this year's lineup showcases the rich diversity of South Asian cinema, particularly highlighting women's contributions both onscreen and off.. We are thrilled to present a wider slate that boasts an electrifying combination of talent, from fearless newcomers to old friends and established directors. These films also provoke vital conversations. They address difficult and timely subjects such as gender identity, migration, sexuality, mental health, climate change, and responsible technology, making this festival a deeply stimulating and unforgettable experience."

One of the highlights of the year is Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears), which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance recently. Rohan Kanawade's debut feature film gives a groundbreaking exploration to queer relationships in the rigid social order of India.