The DIFF Film Fellows Initiative, launched in 2014, nurtures emerging filmmaking talent from the Himalayan regions of India. Each year, a call for applications is announced, and a jury of filmmakers and industry professionals selects a cohort of fellows to attend DIFF, where they engage in festival events and receive one-on-one mentorship from established filmmakers. By focusing on applicants from the Indian Himalayan region, the programme provides crucial opportunities for budding filmmakers who may otherwise lack access to these resources. This exchange fosters growth for both fellows and mentors, building lasting relationships between new and seasoned artists.
Many DIFF Film Fellows have embarked on filmmaking careers, with several now working on or completing their first features. Notably, DIFF Film Fellow Rahat Mahajan’s Meghdoot was selected for the prestigious Tiger Competition at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam. Past mentors include acclaimed filmmakers such as Hansal Mehta, Gurvinder Singh, Anupama Srinivasan, Umesh Kulkarni, and Kesang Tseten.
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APPLICATION GUIDELINES
About the Programme
The DIFF Himalayan Film Fellows Programme 2026 is a mentorship and project development initiative supporting filmmakers from the Indian Himalayan Region who are developing their first or second feature-length fiction film. The programme combines online mentorship, an intensive in-person residency in Dharamshala, and participation at Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF). Six selected fellows will work closely with three industry mentors and a cohort of peers to strengthen their projects, develop their storytelling practice, and gain valuable industry exposure.
The 2026–27 fellowship cycle will run from September 2026 to April 2027.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
– Be developing their first or second feature-length fiction film
– Have previously completed at least one short or feature film (fiction or non-fiction)
– Have a meaningful connection to the Indian Himalayan Region
Definition of the Indian Himalayan Region
The Indian Himalayan Region includes Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, the hill districts of West Bengal (Darjeeling and Kalimpong), and the hill regions of India’s Northeast. Applicants must have a significant personal connection to the Indian Himalayan Region. The programme is intended for filmmakers whose lives and work are meaningfully rooted in the region.
This may be demonstrated through:
– Being originally from the region (born and/or raised there);
– Having spent a substantial part of their upbringing or formative years in the region; or
– Having lived and maintained an active creative practice in the region over an
extended period.
(Applicants whose connection to the region is based solely on family ancestry or heritage
may not be considered eligible.)
Programme Components
– 4-day pre-festival intensive (25-28 Oct)
– Full access to DIFF 2026 (29 Oct – 1 Nov)
– One-on-one and group mentorship
– Three online mentorship sessions
– One-on-one and group mentorship with industry professionals
– Opportunities to engage with filmmakers, festival guests, and industry practitioners
– Accommodation and meals in Dharamshala
– ₹20,000 travel grant
Application Materials
Applicants must submit:
1. Feature Film Treatment
An 8–12 page treatment of the proposed feature-length fiction film.
The treatment should clearly communicate:
– Story
– Characters
– Themes
– Narrative arc
– Creative vision
2. Project Introduction Video
A 2–3 minute video introducing:
– Yourself
– Your filmmaking practice
– Your proposed feature project
– Why you would like to participate in the fellowship
The video may be recorded on a phone and does not need to be professionally produced.
3. Previous Work
Links to:
– One or two completed short or feature films
– Fiction and/or non-fiction work is accepted
4. Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of ₹2,500
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated on:
– Strength and originality of the proposed feature project
– Artistic vision and storytelling potential
– Quality of previous work
– Applicant’s commitment to filmmaking practice
– Alignment with the programme’s focus on independent cinema and distinctive voices
Conditions of Participation
Selected fellows must:
– Attend all online and in-person fellowship sessions
– Participate fully in mentorship activities
– Be open to feedback, critical discussion, and the possibility of revising or reworking
their project throughout the fellowship.
– Attend the residency and festival dates in Dharamshala
– Credit DIFF and Arthshila in the completed film
Important Dates
Applications Close: 31 July 2026
Selected Fellows Announced: by 15 September 2026
Intensive: 25–28 October 2026
DIFF Festival Residency: 29 October – 1 November 2026
Online Session: dates TBC
