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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 03, 2024 | The Indian Eye 18

New York Indian Film Festival offers a Fresh

Perspective on Contemporary Indian Cinema

The year 2024 marks 50 years of
Shabana Azmi in Indian and Inter-
national cinema. To celebrate the
OUR BUREAU Rajshri Deshpande (Netflix show “Trial by
landmark anniversary the multiple Fire” and “Angry Indian Goddesses”) plays the
New York, NY lead in “Privacy.”
he New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), award-winning actress will attend “We aim to truly underscore the NYIFF com-
North America’s oldest and most prestigious this year’s NYIFF. The special event mitment to diversity and cultural representation in
Tand festival featuring cinema from the global will include the screening of Ms. film,” said Aseem Chhabra, NYIFF Festival Direc-
India community has announced the full line-up for tor. “This year, we will feature films in 12 languag-
the 24th edition which runs May 31-June 2, 2024 in Azmi’s 1996 film “Fire,” directed es spoken in India: Assamese, Bengali, English,
New York City. This year’s festival lineup features by Deepa Mehta. This will be fol- Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam,
films that showcase the depth and range of con- Marathi, Oria, Punjabi, Tamil. Two films also fea-
temporary Indian cinema, including cutting-edge lowed with a conversation between ture Sinhalese and Arabic languages. All films will
dramas, documentaries, and shorts, some that Ms. Azmi and filmmaker Mira Nair. have English subtitles.”
premiered at Cannes Film Festival and Toronto “I am thrilled to present the lineup for this
International Film Festival. All films will screen at year’s New York Indian Film Festival. Our selec-
Village East by Angelika, 181 2nd Ave., New York, on global cinema. It offers a unique opportunity to tion of films not only epitomizes the artistic bril-
NY 10003. explore and appreciate the diverse cinematic voices liance we champion but also mirrors the vibrant
Ms. Azmi will delve into her remarkable jour- emerging from India today,” said Dr. Nirmal Mat- narratives we strive to share with our community.
ney, from her groundbreaking debut in Shyam too, Chairman of the Indo-American Arts Council, This year, the amalgamation of cultural richness,
Benegal’s “Ankur,” to her trailblazing roles that the organization that presents the film festival. outstanding narratives, and stellar performances is
have earned her five National Film Awards and in- Several other well-known Indian film person- poised to make this edition of the festival unparal-
ternational accolades. alities will be featured in a wide array of works. leled in its appeal,” said Poonam Khubani IAAC
Beyond her cinematic achievements, Ms. Opening Film “Dear Jassi” is directed by cele- Board Member.
Azmi’s dedication to social activism, particularly brated Indian American filmmaker Tarsem Singh, The IAAC supports all the artistic disciplines
for the rights of women and the underprivileged, who has made films with Jennifer Lopez and Julia in classical, fusion, folk and innovative forms influ-
is truly inspiring. Roberts. Plus he has directed videos for music leg- enced by the arts of India. We work cooperatively
“I have been associated with the New York ends like the bands R.E.M. and Lady Gaga. with colleagues around the U.S. to broaden our
Indian Film Festival since its inception and I am Closing Film “Mrs.” stars Bollywood actress collective audiences and to create a network for
heartened by the progress it has made over the Sanya Malhotra. shared information, resources and funding.
years in leaps and bounds. I am happy that my 50th Amitabh Bachchan, Vivek Gomber (“Court” Our focus is to help artists and art organiza-
year is being celebrated at the NYIFF and I look and “Sir”), classical dancer and actress Leela Sam- tions in North America as well as to facilitate art-
forward to it,” Ms. Azmi said. son (“O Kadhal Kanmani”) and Adil Hussain ists from India to exhibit, perform and produce
“NYIFF is a must-watch event for anyone in- (“Life of Pi”) star in filmmaker Pooja Kaul’s debut their work here. The IAAC is a 501(c)(3) tax-ex-
terested in Indian cinema and its growing impact film “The Umesh Chronicles.” empt organization.

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