Dharamshala’s International Film Festival

By Mary Trewartha / October 16, 2015;

Screening of films during last DIFF Photo:DIFF

Screening of films during last year’s Film Festival at Dharamshala
Photo:DIFF

McLeod Ganj is once again gearing up for the Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF). Now in its fourth year, the festival showcases a selection of Indian and independent cinema, as well as hosting masterclasses, workshops, and outreach programmes and takes place in McLeod Ganjfrom November 5 to 8.

DIFF aims to bring high quality, independent films from around the world, along with their filmmakers, to Dharamshala and to promote and encourage local film making talent by organising special screenings, masterclasses and workshops. Another aim is to create a non-partisan cultural platform to engage and involve all communities that inhabit the area.“’Although Dharamshala is a very multicultural and multi-ethnic place, the opportunities for meaningful interaction between its diverse residents is scarce. One of our achievements has been to bring them all together to enjoy the festival” say Festival directors Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam.

“We believe that festivals encourage more people to watch indie cinema, which otherwise remains on the fringe. It helps to refute commonly held myths

Dharamshala Film Festival at TIPA
Photo:DIFF 2014

about independent cinema being ‘too serious’ and ‘inaccessible’”, they continued. “Festivals like ours provide a platform to showcase these films. Also, crucially, it is in festivals like ours that these smaller films have a chance to be noticed by critics and the industry and maybe have the opportunity of gaining wider exposure. Here at DIFF, we hope to play our part in supporting and encouraging this exciting movement.”

The festival is produced by White Crane Arts & Media Trust which promotes contemporary art, cinema and independent media practices in the Himalayan region. Run by long-term residents of Dharamshala, White Crane Arts & Media Trust aims to encourage and develop contemporary forms of creative expression.

The programme includes films from all over the world: features and documentaries as well as shorts, and many of the film makers will be attending the screening of their films. The main festival venue will be the 500-seat auditorium at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, with more screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions and special programmes at the HPTDC Club House. Registration is open now and full details are on the DIFF website www.diff.co.in and Facebook page