IFUFF 2025: Day 3 – A morning panel, a series of shorts, fantastic features, and well-earned awards bring events to a resoundingly positive close
Let’s be frank. Anything that’s worth being a part of should mean that it having to come to an end is quite simply HARD, leaving a lasting impact, incredible memories, newfound relationships (while enjoying some previously established ones again!), and a definite feeling within that just lets you know….I was a part of something special. It is no exaggeration to utilize such words of sentiment and praise when it came to Day 3 of the 6th Annual 2025 Indic Film Utsav Film Festival held at the Galaxy Theatres Grandscape in The Colony, TX. As with both previous days, this final hurrah for the 2025 edition promised nothing less than more momentous occasions, excellence in filmmaking, inspired conversations, plus the added acknowledgement of ALL the artists whose work had been showcased along with those amongst them that were ultimately chosen as the winners in their respective categories. One wishes everyone could gain an award, but that’s not how Festivals work. However, for all the films this critic had the chance to view, truly, all most assuredly held their own in representing South Asian indie cinema and its depth of artistic clout.
The morning saw things commence via a Filmmaker Social Event, kicked off with a panel discussion centered on the need for advancement in telling Indian stories founded in the U.S. to a global audience. With moderator Vishy Putcha asking the questions, the panel made up of myself (Film Critic), “The Film Festival Doctor” herself Rebekah Louisa Smith (Film Festival Strategist), Katie Shuck (Dallas Film Commissioner), Sachin Dheeraj (Writer/Filmmaker), Dr. Ravi Rajan (Executive Producer: “CasteGate”), and Vish Ayyar (Lead Actor: “American Warrior”) fielded both his and audience questions about the main subject at hand, covering so many related topics ranging from Dallas film tax credits, incentives, and programs both current and being explored to benefit local filmmakers, the deep, integral importance of understanding how to market one’s film via well-guided strategy, how film critic reviews fit into this process, and other perspectives about South Asian filmmaking here in this country. This was a consummate pleasure to be sharing a panel with this degree of industry knowledge, and it was gladdening to know everyone benefitted from it.
A quick transition back into the screenings followed, with a particular block of four short films to start that completely reminded me yet again of why I cherish South Asian film and the stories being converted. The beauty of the relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter in a small Himalayan village gets set against the concept of rural living meeting city life and the T-Shirt brought to Basanti’s small tailor shop that alters everyone’s life involved via the utterly enchanting “Basanti Tailors” from Ajay Govind. This was followed by Bijou Thaangjam‘s “The Taste of Dreams”, a Manipuri language tale about a young man looking to follow his dreams, and his late mother’s cooking passion, to run a multihued ramen food truck…plus prove the value of it to his highly unconvinced father. Once more it was the basics of human interaction and ability to change that make the film shine. Next was one I had already had a previous chance to screen and review, Tejal Desai‘s simply awesome fish out of water “Cowboys & Hindus” which sees a traditional Hindu wife learning the importance of manual labor, the real meaning of other’s lives, and standing up to a stubborn husband.
It is the mix of drama and humor that make Desai’s film stand out, and is now paving the way for the in-development feature film version even as the short continues to gain traction at multiple Festivals. Finally, the foursome of shorts rounded out with Sandeep Reddy Sama‘s “Sunny Boy”, a riotous adventure about a young boy whose aim is to own a Spiderman school bog, which his parents cannot afford, and so causes this creative lad to go about gaining the funds himself. It is one of the most endearing and entertaining films the Festival screened without question and, again, exemplifies the freshness South Asian cinema offers. The afternoon’s next short film block…Kiran Dhamale‘s “Aata Tu Motha Jhalas”, Yashiva Malligar’s “All Water Is Holy Water”, Sunder Konar‘s “Betelgeuse”, and Shankar Kamble’s “Irani Café”…played immediate after, though I had networking and conversations to attend to and therefore did miss this group. I can’t say it any other way, but I have no hesitations these films likewise carried the same magnitudes of quality and relevancy of subject matter that I have come to always expect with the region’s projects.
Mid-afternoon brought on an unexpected (for me, that is) gift in the Nepali feature film “Jaar”, directed by Phurba Tshering Lama, centered on traditions and customs passed down through history coming to bear in early 19th century Nepal when a young woman falls for a soldier. But, changing circumstances suddenly make their desired union forbidden, setting off a study in the true bonds of love and what we might do to grasp it. Gritty yet undeniably captivating, with glorious cinematography to boot, it was such a wonder to see what talents are present in the Nepalese filmmaking community. Jayan Cherian‘s feature film “Rhythm of Dammam” immersed us in the perspective of a 12-year old Siddi boy confronting the ghost of his grandfather and the search for healing from generations of trauma his people have endured through ritual and traditional Dammam music. As fascinating as it is unflinchingly haunting, the film leaves a definitive mark on you as the viewer with its energy, rawness, and lush visuals that embrace both reality and the afterlife in quite a profound manner.
Finally, what could be a more fitting conclusion to the films associated with IFUFF 2025 than the documentary feature “6A Akash Ganga” from 3-time National Award winning director Nirmal Chander, the life story of “Surbahar” legend Annapurna Devi, who rose to high acclaim in a field dominated by men yet then suddenly turned recluse. Now, I personally was not familiar with Devi or her musical accomplishments prior to seeing this film, but needless to say, I was engrossed from the start. This is truly her untold journey AS told for the FIRST TIME specifically to Chander, whom Devi personally CHOSE and allowed to share her truths. The post-screening Q&A, hosted by Nikita Hattangady, provided Chander the opportunity to personally share about this literally unique and exclusive road he got to travel, with an ending shown in the film that is so deeply impactful in its significance relative to all the filmmaker did to bring Devi’s life to, well, life. Stunning, impressive, and further testament of South Asian film’s presence and ability to tell pertinent stories.
This, as one would guess, led us to the finale….AWARDS! A stellar Jury, made up of Dallas-based filmmaker Raj Rachakonda, Chair of the Dallas Museum of Arts Gowri Sharma, and Prachyam Co-Founder/Multi-Media specialist Kshitiz Rai, made the choices which first saw the following Jury Awards: Best Feature: “Jaar”, Best Documentary “CasteGate”, Best Short: “Bhamakalapam”, Best Ultrashort: “Geetha” along with a Special Mention for Best Feature: “87 Rupees Ink Pen”. Then it was the Audience Awards, which were tabulated from those attending the Festival over the weekend, which were revealed as: Best Feature: “Ahana-The Light Within”, Best Documentary: “Devi-A Woven History”, Best Short: “Cowboys & Hindus”, Best Ultrashort: “Gratitude”. Add to ALL of this, my totally amazing times getting to finally get to meet “Cowboys & Hindus” producer Kirtana Banskota (YOU are one fantastically engaging, vibrant person!), additional filmmakers, actors, and crew members like Srikanth “Sri” Appalaraju, Sri Chilukuri, Vihaan Gupta, Sunny Lahiri (it was SO GOOD to see you again, bro!), Ranai Reddy (you WILL make DP, my friend!), Ananya Thoranam (can’t wait to see what comes next for you!), and many others. YOU are ALL the people that make attending a Festival worthwhile, and THANK YOU for accepting me into the South Asian fold!
“Token White Guy”, right Rahul Thakkar?? HA! I will forever recall that moniker in conjunction with IFUFF 2025! What a weekend, what a Festival, what an experience, and what a genuine community of human beings to be associated with moving forward. I once more extend my thanks to Danji and Team for allowing me to be there and show my enthusiasm to support South Asian cinema. The Festival is one to take notice of, given the beautiful approach to champion not JUST the region’s films being made here in the U.S. and abroad, but the atmosphere and tone of POSITIVITY we so desperately need in this world. Also, words really can’t fully encapsulate the actuality of BEING there to let it all soak into your mind, heart, and soul. I suppose, to really sum it all up……I cannot wait for Indic Film Utsav Film Festival Vol. 7 in 2026!! Namaste to everyone. I love you all dearly.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
