The 2026 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) will showcase a diverse lineup of films, including notable Malayalam cinema, from April 23-26, 2026, at Landmark Sunset Hollywood and Harmony Gold.
The 2026 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) has officially unveiled its film and events lineup for its 24th edition, scheduled to take place from April 23 to April 26, 2026. The festival will be hosted at Landmark Sunset Hollywood and Harmony Gold in Los Angeles, according to a press release from the festival organizers.
Recognized as a prominent platform for South Asian cinema in the United States, IFFLA aims to celebrate both established works and emerging voices within the film industry. The festival provides a unique space for artists to connect with industry professionals, fostering opportunities for career advancement.
The festival will kick off with the U.S. premiere of *Patriot*, a Malayalam espionage thriller directed by Mahesh Narayanan. This film is particularly significant for the South Asian diaspora and cinema enthusiasts, as it marks the first on-screen reunion of Malayalam cinema icons Mohanlal and Mammootty in 18 years.
Closing the festival will be the North American premiere of *The Great Shamsuddin Family*, directed by Anusha Rizvi. This social satire, set in a Delhi apartment, serves as a long-awaited follow-up to Rizvi’s acclaimed film *Peepli Live*. The narrative follows a writer named Bani as she navigates family turmoil and a looming deadline, offering a poignant look at modern Indian urban life and female resilience.
This year’s program features a total of 27 films, including seven narrative features, two documentary features, and 18 short films. The selection represents a rich tapestry of countries, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the USA.
Anu Rangachar, IFFLA’s Artistic Director, expressed enthusiasm for the diverse lineup. “Apart from our impressive galas, the program travels across South Asia, from Bangladesh’s meditative *Sand City* to Pakistan’s emerging new wave with the haunting *Ghost School* and the visually arresting *Lali*,” she stated. Rangachar emphasized that this year’s selection reflects a notable increase in women filmmakers from both the subcontinent and the global diaspora.
The narrative feature lineup includes several compelling titles:
*Ghost School* by Seemab Gul tells the story of a young girl navigating a broken educational system.
*Sand City* by Mahde Hasan is a debut feature set in Dhaka, focusing on the life of an indigenous minority woman and a factory worker.
*Shape of Momo* by Tribeny Rai, which will have its North American premiere, details a woman’s return to her remote Himalayan village from Delhi.
*Lali* by Sarmad Khoosat presents a darkly comic portrait of a newlywed couple in Pakistan.
*Songs of Forgotten Trees* by Anuparna Roy, an award-winner at the Venice Film Festival, follows the lives of two migrant women in Mumbai.
The press release also highlights several documentary features that delve into the experiences of the Indian diaspora in America. *The Gas Station Attendant*, directed by Karla Murthy, provides an intimate look at an immigrant father’s journey from India to working night shifts at a U.S. gas station. Additionally, *Breaking the Code*, directed by Ben Rekhi and Swetlana, explores the life of a tech pioneer in Silicon Valley, tracing his path from independent India to the American tech sector.
In addition to the film screenings, the festival will host IFFLA Industry Days, a forum designed for South Asian creatives to engage with industry leaders through panels, masterclasses, and a $10,000 Pitch Competition Development Grant. The IFFLA Connect program will specifically link projects from South Asia and the diaspora with professionals in production, financing, and casting.
<p“Each year, IFFLA puts the spotlight on the brilliant breadth and scope of South Asian storytelling,” said Anjay Nagpal, IFFLA’s Executive Director. “This curated connection is what makes IFFLA such a vital and unmissable event.”
The short film selection for this year includes works from 13 female directors and several world premieres. Notable entries include Nihaarika Negi’s *Tenfa*, set in the Himalayan Kinnauri community, and Fatima Liaqat’s *Plain Folks*, a comedy-horror about a Pakistani student in Utah.
The festival also showcases a robust selection of films by California-based filmmakers, highlighting local South Asian stories. Titles include:
*Harvest Party At Camp Two* by Rajan Gill and Reaa Pur, a documentary on Punjabi farmworkers in 1980s America.
*Peanut* by Sheila Sawhny, which tells a story about second chances.
*Skin* by Urvashi Pathania, a horror tale centered on beauty standards.
*Unfriend (Katti)* by Kanishka Aggarwal, which examines gender bias through the eyes of an eight-year-old.
*Sūnna* by Radha Mehta, a mother-daughter story set in the world of classical Indian music.
Passes and tickets for the festival will go on sale on March 19 at the festival’s official website. IFFLA 2026 is supported by the Joy of Sharing Foundation, Tarsadia Foundation, and various Los Angeles city and county arts departments.
For more information, visit www.indianfilmfestival.org. IFFLA 2026 will take place from April 23-26, 2026, at Landmark Sunset Hollywood (8000 Sunset Blvd.) and Harmony Gold (7655 Sunset Blvd.).
According to India Currents, this year’s festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of South Asian cinema.