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6th Indic Film Utsav announces 2025 slate: A celebration of positive cinema
This year's festival features narrative films, short films, student works, and documentaries in English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, and Bangla.
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Avatans Kumar - Tue, 07, Oct 2025
- 21:49 EDT
- 66
Poster of the film fetival / Indica Pictures via Facebook
The Indic Film Utsav (IFU) has announced the much-awaited lineup for its 6th edition, taking place from Nov. 7 to 9, 2025, at the Galaxy Theater at Grandscape, The Colony, Dallas. Branded as 'The Festival of Positive Cinema,' Indic Film Utsav continues its mission of showcasing films that inspire, uplift, and celebrate human resilience across cultures. This year's lineup is a testament to our commitment to spreading hope and optimism through the power of cinema, said Danji Thotapalli, Co-founder and Chief Curator of Indic Film Utsav.
Indic Film Utsav began its journey in 2020 as an OTT festival and has since evolved into a fully theatrical experience, with Dallas as its proud home. Vibrant and diverse, Dallas—with its rapidly growing Indian community—provides the perfect stage for the festival's celebration of cinema.
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The festival opens on Nov. 7 with the North American premiere of American Warrior (Dir. Gustavo Martin Benites), a gripping narrative about an Indian American protagonist (Actor: Vishy Ayyar) forced to confront his past. A Q&A with the filmmaker and cast will follow the screening.
This year's festival features narrative films, short films, student works, and documentaries in English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, and Bangla.
All films have English subtitles.
"At Indic Film Utsav, audiences experience cinema that is deeply rooted in the textures of India and the Indian subcontinental region. From the searing exposé on Hinduphobia by Caste Gate – The Untold Story by Vikram Mishra to the lyrical Bangla feature Ahana – The Light Within, by Promita Bhowmik, the festival embraces stories that are both urgent and timeless," said Thotapalli.
Indic Film Utsav 2025 offers a diverse selection of films that promise to captivate and inspire its audience. From Nirmal Chander's 6A Akash Ganga, a rediscovery of musical heritage, to Phurba Tshering Lama's Jaar, a journey to 19th-century Nepal, and Jayan Cherian's Rhythm of Dammam, a profound exploration of roots, the festival promises a rich cinematic experience. Films like Ravi Nimbalkar's 87 Rupees Ink Pen and Aata Tu Motha Jhalas capture the childlike innocence, survival, and dilemmas of growing up. Shorts such as "All Water is Holy Water" and "Cowboys and Hindus" spotlight resilience, identity, and cultural exchange. There are two student shorts: Bhamakalapam and Lady Bird. Together, they reflect the diversity, vitality, and human spirit that define Indic cinema. And these are just a few of the 20 films that were selected from over 1350 films for the festival.
Now in its sixth year, the Indic Film Utsav has become a global stage for independent filmmakers championing cinema rooted in empathy, dignity, and hope. Alongside screenings, the festival will host Q&A sessions, networking opportunities with participating filmmakers, and special events, including panel discussions, for the wider Dallas film-loving community.
"The Indic Film Utsav is more than a weekend of screenings — it's a celebration of stories that uplift, connect, and inspire. Every film we select reflects our core belief in the power of cinema to highlight the human spirit and spark meaningful conversations," said Thothapalli. In a world often clouded by negativity, our festival offers a refreshing space to discover hopeful, culturally rich, and creative voices from India and beyond. Center for Indic Films is a platform under INDICA, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by entrepreneur Harikiran Vadlamani.
Discounted Early Bird All Access Patron Passes for Utsav are available for the next week only. In addition to All Access Passes, Day Passes, and tickets to Individual Screenings are available on the Utsav's website
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