2025 SUBMISSIONS
  • 2025 Submissions
  • 2024 Programme
  • About Us
  • DIFF Initiatives
  • DIFF On The Road
  • FAQs & Getting there
  • Support Us
  • Archive
info@diff.co.in
About DIFF

About Us

When filmmakers and longtime Dharamshala residents Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam started the Dharamshala International Film Festival in 2012, their main aims were to bring independent cinema to the Himalayan region, encourage local filmmaking talent, and create a meaningful cultural platform to engage the area’s diverse communities. Twelve years later, DIFF has become one of India’s leading independent film festivals, and attracts audiences from across the country and further afield. The festival also nurtures the larger independent filmmaking community in India and South Asia, and builds networks of solidarity, support and resources.

DIFF is known for its bold and adventurous programming that enriches knowledge and understanding of societies, cultures and ideas. Its cutting-edge films provoke questions and discussion on issues that are relevant and current, and address universal themes of human experience. Bringing filmmakers to the festival has been a constant priority for DIFF and its large network of alumni filmmakers and film professionals includes the majority of key independent filmmakers working in South Asia today. 

After two years of Covid-19 instigated online editions, the 11th edition of DIFF came back with a bang in 2022 as a physical event. The festival was a huge success and attracted more audiences than ever before. 

The 13th Edition of DIFF will take place once again in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala from 7–10 November 2024. The DIFF team eagerly looks forward to welcoming its audiences back with another carefully curated lineup of exciting, unusual and eclectic films, along with a range of interactive sessions with filmmakers and film professionals.

 

The Story of Dharamshala International Film Festival, Asian Film Archive

"The Dharamshala International Film Festival is my favourite film festival in India because there are no frills attached to it. It is purely about watching films and meeting people… there are opportunities to make real contact. This aspect makes it a really special and unique festival."

- Adil Hussain, actor

"I think DIFF is amazing; your passion and commitment to create a film festival so completely engaged with life and society is so rare… For me it has definitely been the festival of the year."

- Guy Davidi, director, 5 Broken Cameras

"I am not a great fan of film festivals and I seldom attend them as I find them too busy and there is too much hot air all around. This is truly the first film festival I have ever been to which I enjoyed. This festival truly is a celebration of cinema rather than a market place where you are trying to hustle."

- Naseeruddin Shah, actor

Adil Hussain, Actor
Arun Sarin, Former CEO of Vodafone Group
Asif Kapadia, Director
Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza, Chairwoman of TBA21
Guneet Monga, Producer
Jeremy Thomas, Producer
Sushil Chaudhary, Founder and Chairman of PictureTime

Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, Founders and Festival Directors

Bina Paul, Director of Programming

Lucy Peters, Festival Manager

Aakanksha Jadhav, Film Programmer

Eleonora Bosco, Film Programmer

Monica Gyamlani, Film Programmer

Monica Wahi, Young Adults Film Programmer

Anisha Baid, Programme Coordinator

Abhishek Thakur, Community Outreach

Bejon K. Vinod, Production Manager

Mishal M.A, Production Coordinator

Stenzin Tankhong, Technical Coordinator

Sijya Gupta, Design

Tsering Negi, Original Poster Art

Aarohi Mehra, Social Media Manager

Tenzin Palkyi, Guest Relations

Nabiha Tasnim, Hospitality Coordinator

Development Logics, Web Developer

Danda Studio, Catalogue Design

Black Sheep Media House, Documentation

Ashok Yadav, Accounts

Gunjan Sharma, Design & Social Media Coordinator

Rahul Shende, Festival Intern

Devansh Sharma, Hospitality Intern

Kelsang Tashi Bhutia, Production Intern

Aarti Bartholomew, Aman Amin, Avani Batra, Ayushi Alva, Bob Ankerson, Devina Dabholkar, Eline Groeneweg Bhatt, Gargi Datar, Hemant Sreekumar, Kishan Shah, Manoj Arora, Rajesh Thanickan, Rashmi Ramaul, Ritu Khanna, Rosemary Rawcliffe, Shruti Sridharan, Tanya Ginwala, Tashi Nyima, Tenzin Chokey Ginguld, Tenzin Pema, Yashbir Singh, Buddhist Film Foundation, Dharamshala District Administration, Mapcha, Sydney Film Festival, The Burlap People, DIFF 2024 Volunteers.

——————————————————————————-

The 13th edition of the Dharamshala International Film Festival is grateful for the support we receive from our various collaborators, sponsors, partners and supporters.

Sexual Harassment at the Work Place Policy

Internal Complaints Committee

IN COLLABORATION WITH

TECHNICAL PARTNER

WITH SUPPORT FROM

WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Sign up to stay updated on lineup announcements, festival details, and more.
SUBSCRIBE
  • Support Us
  • About
  • Merchandise
  • Archive
Dharamshala International Film Festival,
DIFF House, next to Dolma Ling Institute,
Sidhpur, HP 176057
For general inquiries: info@diff.co.in
© 2025 White Crane Films.
  • Support Us
  • About
  • Merchandise
  • Archive
Sign up to stay updated on lineup announcements, festival details, and more.
SUBSCRIBE
Dharamshala International Film Festival,
DIFF House, next to Dolma Ling Institution,
Sidhpur, HP 176057
For general inquiries: info@diff.co.in
© 2025 White Crane Films.
Back to top