Page 18 - The Indian EYE 082126

The Indian Eye
NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 21, 2026 18

Aamir Khan Productions’ Batwara

1947 to Headline Inaugural Awesome

International Film Festival

One-day New York festival of independent films from more than 15 countries to

be held under the theme “Cinema Without Borders”

OUR BUREAU ied tension.
The full slate reflects the range
NEW YORK, NY
of work coming out of the indepen-
he inaugural Awesome Inter- dent filmmaking community today.
national Film Festival (Aweso- AwesomeIFF Advisors
TmeIFF) announced that Aamir • Sunil Hali — Media pioneer;
Khan Productions’ Batwara 1947 will leads Radio Zindagi and The Indi-
screen at the festival on Thursday, an EYE.
Aug. 14, 2026, at New York City’s • David S. Zucker — Show creator
SVA Theatre. The Partition drama and producer, David Zucker Pro-
will headline a one-day lineup of in- ductions.
dependent films from more than 15 • Tirlok Malik — Emmy-nominated
countries. actor and producer, Apple Produc-
Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi tions.
and produced by Aamir Khan and • Sarba Das — Award-winning en-
Aparna Purohit, Batwara 1947 stars tertainment executive and creative
Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, Pre- strategist.
ity G. Zinta, Karan Deol, Ali Fazal Festival Partner
and Abhimanyu Singh, with music • Sattie Persaud — Founder, World
by A.R. Rahman and lyrics by Javed Heritage Cultural Center; cultural
Akhtar. Set against one of the most preservation advocate.
defining moments in the subconti- About Awesome International
nent’s history, the film tells a story of Film Festival
love, loss and humanity during the The Awesome International
Partition of India. Film Festival (AwesomeIFF) is a
The screening reflects the festi- New York City-based international
val’s mission to present stories that film festival dedicated to indepen-
travel across borders and bring audi- dent filmmakers and to the power of
ences together through films. storytelling to connect people across
“Batwara 1947 represents exactly cultures. Guided by its theme “Cin-
the kind of storytelling AwesomeIFF ema Without Borders,” the festival
was created to champion,” said showcases narrative, documentary,
Ritesh Parikh, founder and festival animation, AI, student and emerging
director of AwesomeIFF. “We hope filmmakers while creating opportuni-
audiences leave inspired by this col- ties for artists, audiences and industry
lection of stories from filmmakers mation, AI-generated film, student nature reclaims the world we left professionals to discover new voic-
who remind us that film has the pow- work and music video. behind. Giving Mom the Talk — a es, exchange ideas and build lasting
er to connect cultures and spark con- Featured screenings include the daughter gives her Indian mother creative connections. AwesomeIFF
versations.” headline film Batwara 1947 — Aamir “the talk.” The City Speaks — a city is more than a film festival — it is
AwesomeIFF is created to cel- Khan Productions’ Partition drama, tells its story through countless voices. a movement that amplifies under-
ebrate independent voices and give directed by Rajkumar Santoshi along Additional Selection include in- represented voices and connects the
filmmakers a global platform in New with Destination Oak Tree Road — ternationally recognized selections global creative community through
York, the greatest city of the world. an Emmy-honored story out of New such as Unspoken — a young Polish storytelling.
Guided by its theme “Cinema With- Jersey. The Red Market — a thriller acrobat chases his dream while living Where Every Story Deserves a
out Borders,” the one-day festival from a U.S. Navy veteran director. with a stutter. Mukunã: Aprendiz Stage. Cinema Without Borders.
brings together filmmakers, produc- Hello Dad — an emotional family de Pajé — Indigenous tradition and For tickets, programming and
ers, industry leaders, artists and audi- drama. Immortality — an AI-craft- environmental stewardship in Brazil. additional information, visit aweso-
ences for a full day of screenings and ed narrative on what it means to Cartapesta: Carnival of Fano — Ita- meiff.com or follow @awesomeiff
networking. live forever. The Man and the Mon- ly’s centuries-old carnival craft. Two on Instagram. Organizations inter-
Alongside Batwara 1947, the fes- key — he came looking for the “real” Steps — she forgot the cruelty; the ested in sponsorship or partnership
tival will present its official selections India and found himself. What We other never did and Baba — an un- opportunities should contact the or-
across documentary, narrative, ani- Deserve — in humanity’s absence, expected visit unearths years of bur- ganizers.

www.TheIndianEYE.com