TOP 10 LESSERKNOWN INDIAN FILM FESTIVALS THAT DESERVE MORE RECOGNITION

India is home to one of the world's largest film industries, generally known as Bollywood. But the country has much further to offer than just its mainstream movies. India also boasts a thriving independent cinema scene, which is celebrated in colorful film festivals across the country. These festivals showcase a different range of films that frequently go unnoticed by mainstream audiences. While some of the more significant film festivals in India, like the Mumbai Film Festival and the International Film Festival of India, are well-known, several lesser-known festivals deserve more recognition.

1. Dharamshala International Film Festival

The Dharamshala International Film Festival(DIFF) is an annual film festival held in Dharamshala in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The jubilee was innovated in 2012 by filmmakers Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, who wanted to bring independent films to a broader audience in India. DIFF showcases a selection of independent movies from India and around the world, focusing on films that are doubtful to be screened in mainstream cinemas. The festival has a character for showing films that explore socially relevant themes and challenge traditional notions of filmmaking.

2. Jeevika Asia Livelihood Documentary Festival

Jeevika Asia Livelihood Documentary Festival is an annual documentary film festival in India, which showcases films focusing on the theme of livelihoods. The festival was started in 2013 by the Center for Civil Society, a non-profit association grounded in New Delhi. The festival aims to give a platform for documentary filmmakers from across the world to showcase their work on issues related to livelihoods, similar as poverty, migration, urbanization, and climate change.

3. Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival

KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival is an annual event held in Mumbai, India that showcases LGBTQ films worldwide. The festival was established in 2010 and has since grown into South Asia's biggest LGBTQ film festival. KASHISH aims to produce visibility for LGBTQ issues and communities through cinema. The festival features a different range of films, including feature films, pictures, films, and experimental films, and attracts a large followership of both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ individuals.

4. Chennai International Short Film Festival

The Chennai International Short Film Festival is a periodic event that celebrates short films from around the world. The festival aims to give a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work, and promote the art of fast moviemaking to a broader audience. The festival features a different range of films, including fiction, non-fiction, animation, and experimental films. The festival has grown in popularity over time and has become an essential event in the Indian film festival circuit.

5. Woodpecker International Film Festival

Woodpecker International Film Festival (WIFF) is an annual documentary film festival in India. It aims to promote socially applicable pictures that raise mindfulness about pressing issues and inspire change. The festival features documentary films from around the world, with a particular emphasis on films from India and the South Asian region. WIFF also hosts masterclasses, shops, and panel conversations with leading documentary filmmakers, furnishing an occasion for aspiring filmmakers to learn from the stylish in the assiduity. The festival is known for its different and study-provoking selection of films that address various social, artistic, and environmental issues.

6. Habitat Film Festival

The Habitat Film Festival is an annual event in India that celebrates the art of cinema. It's organized by the India Habitat Centre, a multidisciplinary arts center grounded in New Delhi. The festival showcases a different range of flicks from India and worldwide, including point films, pictures, and films. It also features interactive sessions with filmmakers, film critics, and other industry professionals, allowing audiences to engage with the creative minds behind the films.

7. International Children's Film Festival of India

The International Children's Film Festival of India (ICFFI) is a biennial film festival that showcases films made for and by children. It's one of the largest film festivals devoted to children in Asia and attracts filmmakers, artists, and film enthusiasts from all over the world. The festival features a various films, including animated and live-action films, short and point-length films, pictures, and experimental flicks. It also includes shops, masterclasses, and interactive sessions with filmmakers, providing a platform for children to learn about moviemaking and explore their creativity.

8. Jagran Film Festival

Jagran Film Festival is an annual film festival held in multiple cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. It showcases various Indian and international films, including point films, pictures, and short films. The festival aims to give a platform for independent filmmakers and to promote cinema as an art form. The festival also provides a networking occasion for aspiring filmmakers to connect with industry experts and showcase their work.

9. International Film Festival of Kerala

The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is a periodic film festival held in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital megacity of Kerala, India. The festival showcases a wide range of films from India and worldwide, including features, pictures, and movies. It has gained a character as one of the leading film carnivals in India, attracting filmmakers, critics, and film enthusiasts from around the world. The festival also includes panel conversations, workshops, and masterclasses on colorful aspects of cinema, making it an essential forum for filmmakers and film professionals to change ideas and explore new directions in cinema.

10. Kalinga International Film Festival

The Kalinga International Film Festival (KIFF) is an annual film festival in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It aims to give a platform for independent and pushing filmmakers from India and abroad to showcase their workshops to a broader audience. The festival showcases various films, including pictures, point films, short films, and animation films. KIFF also features workshops, seminars, and interactive sessions with film industry experts to give a learning experience for expiring filmmakers.