 "The 23rd edition of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) unveils the 2025 lineup")
The 23rd edition of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) unveils the 2025 lineup, reaffirming its role as the leading platform for South Asian cinema in the U.S. Over two decades, IFFLA has championed bold storytelling and emerging talent and underscores the same commitment in 2025 with a lineup that includes the best of South Asian cinema. The festival will open with Varsha Bharath’s directorial debut, Bad Girl, and close with Lawrence Valin’s debut, Little Jaffna, bookending the event with films that are deeply rooted in South Asian experiences. The festival runs May 6–10, 2025, at Landmark Theatres Sunset and the WGA Theatre. Passes, tickets, and gala access are available now at www.indianfilmfestival.org.
Building on last year’s success and its commitment to build an ecosystem that fosters collaboration and business opportunities for South Asian filmmakers, IFFLA 2025 expands Industry Day into a two-day forum, offering creative industry connections and a chance to win a $10,000 Pitch Competition Grant.
This year’s lineup includes an eclectic mix of South Asian films from countries like 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 feature 27 films, including seven narrative features, one documentary, 18 shorts, and a special two-episode screening of an anthology series. The festival includes two world premieres, six North American premieres, three U.S. premieres, and 14 Los Angeles premieres, highlighting a diverse and exciting slate of new voices and perspectives.
“Beyond individual highlights, this year’s lineup celebrates the rich diversity of South Asian cinema with a strong emphasis on female-driven narratives both in front and behind the camera," said Anu Rangachar, IFFLA’s Artistic Director. “We are thrilled to present an expanded lineup that not only showcases an exciting mix of talent, ranging from fearless new voices to returning alums and established auteurs, but also sparks vital crucial conversations. These films reflect complex and timely themes such as gender identity, migration, sexuality, mental health, climate change, and responsible technology, ensuring a truly thought-provoking and unforgettable festival experience.”
At the heart of this year’s lineup is Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears), fresh off its Grand Jury win at Sundance. Rohan Kanawade’s debut feature is a groundbreaking exploration of queer intimacy within India’s rigid societal norms.
Other standout features include the North American premiere of Raam Reddy’s (Thithi) The Fable, a mysterious tale led by Manoj Bajpayee, who plays an estate owner confronting unexplained fires consuming his land. The film also boasts a stellar cast, including Priyanka Bose, Tillotama Shome, and Deepak Dobriyal.
Deepak Rauniyar’s (White Sun, Four Nights) Pooja, Sir is a taut police procedural following a female detective investigating the disappearance of two boys in a Nepalese border town. Meanwhile, Rima Das’ (Bulbul Can Sing, Tora’s Husband) Village Rockstars 2 continues her acclaimed coming-of-age saga, chronicling a teenage girl’s pursuit of music amid life’s harsh realities.
Aranya Sahay’s (Saaya) Humans in the Loop presents a tender, layered portrait of a single mother navigating her relationship with her teenage daughter while working as a data annotator—one of the invisible workers behind India’s growing AI industry. The screening will include a special panel on responsible technology and AI ethics, featuring filmmakers and industry experts.
The documentary A Fly on the Wall, from Nilesh Maniyar and Shonali Bose (Margarita with a Straw), delivers a deeply personal and unflinching portrait of a man asserting autonomy over his final moments.
IFFLA 2025 will also showcase the Los Angeles premiere of the television series DUI Shaw, a psychological drama from Bangladeshi filmmaker Nuhash Humayun, blending supernatural horror with South Asia’s stark realities. The screening will be followed by a masterclass with the filmmaker, an IFFLA shorts alum.
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