Dharamshala

As Dharamshala Film Festival Turns 15, Its Founders Double Down on the Power of Small, Unheard Cinema

The Dharamshala International Film Festival is marking its 15th edition with a renewed case for non-mainstream cinema, as founder Ritu Sarin and programming director Bina Paul describe the festival as a platform built around discovery rather than scale. In a media landscape dominated by star-driven releases and algorithmic visibility, DIFF has positioned itself as a rare space where small, formally adventurous films can find an audience, critical attention and cultural legitimacy.