The annual New York Indian Film Festival, North America’s longest-running Indian Film Festival, now in its 19^th edition, will be held from May 7-12. NYIFF will premiere the latest feature films, documentaries and shorts from India including award winning releases and showcases for numerous regional movies with a special emphasis on films from Bengal, which account for 9 of the 19 regional productions.  Three feature length documentaries and 30 short films are programmed in four thematic blocks. The films shown will include productions by filmmakers from India, Indian Diaspora films, works by directors, writers, actors and others of Indian heritage, and films by Non-Indians with significant Indian content. All productions are New York premieres

Among the significant feature films selected followed by discussions with the directors are

Opening

SIR by Rohena Gera

A prosperous young Indian man falls in love with his servant, a widow with dreams of becoming a tailor. SIR is an award-winning film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival (Critics’ Week) and has not yet been played in India. 

Centerpiece

PHOTOGRAPH by Ritesh Batra

In this feature, a struggling Mumbai street photographer is pressured to marry by his grandmother. He convinces a shy stranger to pose as his fiancée during a family visit. Despite cultural differences, the pair develop a surprising connection that challenges their worldviews in this wistful and funny romance. “PHOTOGRAPH” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was shown at the Berlinale as a Special Gala presentation. 

Amazon Studios will release PHOTOGRAPH in select US theaters on May 17, 2019.

Closing Night

THE LAST COLOR by Vikas Khanna

Fearless nine-year-old tightrope walker and flower seller, Choti, savors her dream to save Rs. 300 ($ 4), so she can attend school. “The Last Color” follows Choti and her best friend Chintu in their daily struggles for survival on the streets of the ancient city of Banaras, India.  Choti befriends Noor, a white-clad widow who suffers a life of total abstinence and is disallowed from taking part in any festivities, especially Holi, the Indian festival of colors. Over time, Choti and Noor's friendship and uplifting spiritual bond breaks through the barriers of the social system. “The Last Color” is a story of promises kept and promises broken, a friendship that knows no bounds, and the freedom and victory of the human spirit. 

The New York Indian Film Festival screens premieres of productions in Independent, arthouse, alternate and diaspora genres. The festival includes one week of screenings, post-screening discussions, industry panels, an award ceremony, special events, nightly networking parties, and red carpet galas. It has the goal of building an awareness of Indian cinema and educating North Americans about the rich cultural and socio-political diversity of India.

As articulated by representatives of the Indo American Arts Council, IAAC, which organizes the festival, the film program showcases the beauty of India through effective story telling. It embodies truth beyond Bollywood and responds to an emerging North American market. Indian art has become a global phenomenon and is offered here through the multi-disciplinary orientation of the AIIC. The council has been arranging dance, literature, art, music and other programs in New York on a regular basis.  IAAC has the 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status and is supported by the New York Consulate General of India, Air India, governmental agencies and other parties. The film festival has grown and in 2018 reached an audience of about six thousand individuals.

For more information www.iaac.us

Claus Mueller  filmexchange@gmail.com