Announcing the 6th Indic Film Utsav

Announcing Our Sixth Edition: The Festival of Positive Cinema It feels like just yesterday we were kicking off our first edition, and now, after five successful years, we are planting our flag firmly in Dallas for the 6th Indic Film Utsav! This festival is a journey of passion, committed to showcasing stories that inspire, uplift, and celebrate human resilience. Our sixth edition will take place November 7–9, 2025 at the upscale Galaxy Theater @ Grandscape in The Colony, Dallas. Dallas has become a wonderful home for us, providing the perfect backdrop for this celebration of cinema rooted in the textures of India and its neighboring regions.

The 2025 Slate: Diverse Stories, Shared Values

We received over 1400 film submissions this year and have curated a powerful slate of 20 films, including narrative features, shorts, and documentaries. They span English, Hindi, Marathi, Manipuri, Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, Nepali, Malayalam and Bengali, and every single film will have English subtitles.

Opening Night Highlight

We open on November 7 with the Dallas Premiere of American Warrior (Dir. Gustavo Martin Benites). This gripping feature with an MMA backdrop follows an Indian American protagonist, played by Vishy Ayyar, as he confronts a buried past.

Showcase Documentary

Our Showcase Documentary is the North American Premiere of Vikram Mishra’s ‘Caste Gate – The Untold Story’, a searing interrogation of Hinduphobia in the US corporate world.

Closing Night Film

We are Closing with 3-time National Award winner, Nirmal Chander’s ‘6A Akash Ganga’, a profound film about Annapurna Devi,  the legendary classical musician for whom George Harrison waited just to hear her perform.

A World of Hope and Humanity 

Our slate is filled with urgent and timeless stories: from the liberating narrative of the Bengali feature ‘Ahana – The Light Within’, to historical transport to early 19th century in the Nepali film ‘Jaar’, to explorations of childhood in the Marathi film ‘87 Rupees Ink Pen’, and the intergenerational trauma of an ancient community in Konkani/Kannada feature ‘The Rhythm of Dammam’ – this festival is your chance to discover cinema rooted in empathy, dignity, and hope. These are just a handful from the slate of 20 films! You’ll also have the chance to meet the passionate independent filmmakers during our Q&A sessions and networking events.

Grab the passes before they are gone! 

To our friends in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. We know it’s a short drive for a cinematic experience unlike any other. Grab your All Access Patron Passes! Day Passes and tickets for Individual Screenings are also available. You can find all ticket options and full details on our website: https://cif.indica.in/ 

If you don’t live in the region, do please take a moment to forward this email or share this announcement with friends, family, or colleagues who do! Help us spread the word about this unique festival of Positive Cinema. I can’t wait to see you in Dallas this November and share this journey with you.