1) Where does the festival take place?
The festival takes place at the Tibetan Childrenās Village (TCV) in Upper Dharamshala. You can type āTibetan Childrenās Villageā on Google Maps and it will lead you straight there. Alternatively,you can find the location pin here, and the Festival Map here.Ā
If you want to know more about how to reach Dharamshala you can jump to the bottom of this page.
2) When does the festival take place? What are the general timings?
DIFF 2025 runs from 30 October to 2 November.
The box office at the venue will open at 9.00 am and the day’s first screening will begin at 10:00 am. The last screening will end at around 9 pm.
3) How many screens are there?
There are a total of 4 screens at the festival. These are: Hermann Gmeiner Hall, Dekyi Tsering Hall, PictureTime 1 (Basketball Court)Ā and PictureTime 2 (Football Ground).
4) Are there live events/ panels apart from the film screenings?
Yes, in addition to film screenings, DIFF hosts panel discussions, workshops and Q&As with filmmakers. Schedule coming soon.
5) Are there parking spots at the venue?
There is no parking within the TCV campus, but there are parking spots within 500m from TCV; near the Dal Lake and the parking area just down Satobari Road. However, we cannot guarantee parking availability and therefore recommend that you take public transport, including buses, autos and taxis that ply from McLeod Ganj to TCV.
6) Is there an auto/taxi service at the venue?
There is a local auto and taxi stand at Dal Lake, which is within walking distance from TCV.
7) Is smoking allowed inside the venue?
Since TCV is a functioning, residential school, smoking is not permitted inside the premises.
8) Can I volunteer at the festival?
DIFF is proud to be a volunteer-run festival. Every year, film enthusiasts from around the world join us in Dharamshala to put together an amazing festival. However, the application for the volunteer programme has closed for this year.
9) What are the different passes available? Can I upgrade my pass at the venue?
The different passes are Student Pass, Delegate Pass, Special Delegate Pass and DIFF Supporter Pass. Passes are now sold out.
10) Can I purchase a pass in person?
Weāre officially sold out for DIFF 2025! Delegate passes will not be available at the venue, except for a limited number of day passes for local attendees on a first come first serve basis.
11) Are passes transferable?
Unfortunately, DIFF tickets are not transferable once bought.
12) Can I reserve a seat in advance?
There is no reserved seating for delegates. Special Delegate and DIFF Supporter Pass holders have priority access to the theatres on a first-come first-serve basis.
13) Do I have to book tickets for each film individually?
Any of the four DIFF passes give patrons access to all film screenings. In order to attend a screening, you only have to queue up at the screening hall.Ā
14) Will all films be subtitled? In which language(s)?
All non-English films screened at DIFF will have English subtitles.
15) Can I bring my own food/ beverages to the screening?
DIFF offers a wide selection of food and beverage stalls at the venue, but patrons are requested not to take any of these inside the screening spaces.
16) How disability/ accessibility friendly is the venue?
The venue for DIFF 2025 is spread across a fairly large hilly terrain, so if you need assistance, please contact us beforehand so we can accommodate your requirements as best as possible.
17) Does DIFF have a safe space policy?
DIFF is committed to being a welcoming and inclusive space where everyone’s safety is valued. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour, abuse, harassment and assault. To find out more, please see our Safe Space Policy.
GETTING HERE
Getting to DharamshalaĀ
Dharamshala, nestled in the scenic Himalayas, is easily accessible by air, train, and road (bus/car), making your journey as smooth as possible.
By AirĀ
The nearest airport is Kangra Airport (also known as Gaggal Airport), about 13 km from Dharamshala. It connects to major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Kullu with regular flights. From the airport, taxis are readily available and take about 50 minutes to reach McLeod Ganj Square, the distance between them is of about 23km.
Alternatively, you can fly into Amritsar (approx. 5-hour taxi ride from Dharamshala) or Chandigarh (about 6.5-hour drive). Both airports offer more frequent flights and could be economical options.
By TrainĀ
The closest train stations are Amb Andaura (around 3 hours by taxi) and Pathankot (around 3.5 hours by taxi). The 5:50 AM Vande Bharat Express from Delhi reaches Amb Andaura at 11:05 AM in just over 5 hours and is the fastest option. From these stations, taxis or buses can take you directly to Dharamshala.
By RoadĀ
McLeod Ganj is well connected via road to major cities in North India:
-Delhi to Dharamshala: Approx. 10-11 hours by car or overnight Volvo bus. (470 km)
-Pathankot to Dharamshala: Around 2 hours by taxi or bus. (90 km)
-Jalandhar (190 km) and Amritsar (200 km) have regular bus services to Dharamshala and taxis are also readily available.
Super-Deluxe Volvo buses make the nightly Delhi-Dharamshala and Dharamshala-Delhi run, a journey of around ten hours, one-way. There are multiple private and government-run buses available. We recommend DIFFās travel partners, Bedi Travels, who run a fleet of comfortable, modern buses.Ā
Contact: [email protected] / 9816611655, 9882115555
DIFF 2025 will be held at Tibetan Childrenās Village, which is located close to the following places:Ā
-Naddi (1.5 km)
-Dharamkot (5 km)
-McLeodganj (3 km)
-Bhagsu Nag (5 km)Ā
Getting to TCV (Tibetan Childrenās Village),Ā Upper Dharamshala
From Kangra Airport :
Kangra Airport (Gaggal) is about 22 km from TCV. You can take a local taxi from the airport directly to TCV. The drive takes about 45-50 minutes.
From Dharamshala Bus Station :
If you arrive by bus at Dharamshala Bus Stand, take a local taxi or shared jeep to Dal Lake or TCV. Itās a short ride of around 25-30 minutes.
From McLeod Ganj town square:
-Taxi or Cab : Quickest and most comfortable, about 10-15 minutes to TCV.
-Shared Taxi / Jeep : Budget-friendly, may require a short walk.
-Walking : Good if light on luggage, but uphill.
About the Venue: The venue for the Dharamshala International Film Festival 2025 is the historical Tibetan Childrenās Village, Upper Dharamshala, also known as TCV. It came into existence on May 17, 1960 when 51 children arrived to India from Tibet as refugees. Starting initially as a nursery, it gradually evolved into a small village with its own school and homes. Currently, it serves over 16,000 children in different locations throughout the country. More info here: https://tcv.org.in/
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