IFFLA 2026 Unveils Lineup for 24th Edition, Opening with Patriot and Closing with The Great Shamsuddin Family

The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) has announced the full lineup for its 24th edition, set to take place from April 23 to 26, 2026, continuing its mission of showcasing the most compelling voices in South Asian cinema from across the globe. Widely regarded as a key platform for South Asian storytelling in the United States, the festival once more blends premieres, award-winning titles, and emerging talent, while also fostering industry connections through its returning Industry Days forum. This year’s edition will feature 27 films, including seven narrative features, two documentaries, and 18 short films, with participating countries spanning India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, several European nations, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. Opening the festival is the U.S. premiere of Mahesh Narayanan’s Malayalam-language espionage thriller “Patriot,” one of the most anticipated Indian productions of the year, notable for reuniting iconic actors Mohanlal and Mammootty on screen for the first time in 18 years. The festival will close with the North American premiere of Anusha Rizvi’s “The Great Shamsuddin Family,” a sharply observed social satire set within a Delhi household over the course of a single chaotic day. Artistic Director Anu Rangachar highlighted the strong presence of female filmmakers across this year’s program, as well as the geographic and thematic diversity of the selection, which includes titles such as Mahde Hasan’s Karlovy Vary winner “Sand City,” Seemab Gul’s debut “Ghost School,” Tribeny Rai’s “Shape of Momo,” and Anuparna Roy’s Venice-awarded “Songs of Forgotten Trees,” alongside Sarmad Sultan Khoosat’s darkly comic “Lali.” The documentary section features Karla Murthy’s award-winning “The Gas Station Attendant,” an intimate portrait of an immigrant father’s life in America, and the world premiere of “Breaking The Code” by Ben Rekhi and Swetlana, tracing a personal journey from post-independence India to Silicon Valley. Meanwhile, the short film program remains one of the festival’s highlights, with a strong showing of women directors and multiple world premieres, including Nihaarika Negi’s Himalayan-set “Tenfa” and Fatima Liaqat’s genre-bending “Plain Folks.” The lineup also includes acclaimed festival titles such as the Cannes Critics’ Week Queer Palm winner “Bleat!” by Ananth Subramaniam and the Sundance-premiered “O’Sey Balamma” by Raman Nimmala. Beyond screenings, IFFLA’s Industry Days forum returns with panels, masterclasses, and networking initiatives designed to connect South Asian creatives with Hollywood executives, including a $10,000 Pitch Competition Development Grant and the IFFLA Connect program supporting projects across financing, production, and distribution. Executive Director Anjay Nagpal emphasized the importance of these curated interactions in strengthening ties between filmmakers and industry professionals, reinforcing IFFLA’s role as both a cultural and professional hub. Founded in 2002, IFFLA has grown into a premier U.S. destination for independent South Asian cinema, offering not only a diverse slate of films but also a dynamic space for dialogue, discovery, and collaboration. Passes and tickets for the 2026 edition go on sale March 19 through the festival’s official website. Tags:Ghost SchoolPatriotSand CityShape of MomoThe Great Shamsuddin Family