THE INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF LOS ANGELES (IFFLA) KICKS OFF WITH TARSEM SINGH’S DEAR JASSI, A DEVASTATING LOVE STORY

The 22nd edition of the internationally acclaimed Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) opened with a grand ceremony and the screening of the opening film DEAR JASSI, a devastatingly beautiful love story based on true events in 1990’s Punjab. Director Tarsem Singh weaves Punjabi Sufi folklore into the striking narrative, making this film standout with a haunting, chilling finale. The screening was followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker. The festival this year has moved back to Hollywood at Landmark Theatres Sunset and runs between June 27–30.

With a highly curated program focused on South Asian films, IFFLA 2024 will present twenty-one films, including seven narrative features, twelve shorts, and two documentaries. This diverse lineup features works from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and the United States, showcasing South Asian stories and perspectives from around the world.

For the first time, the festival will introduce IFFLA Industry Day, a first-of-its-kind forum designed to bring together revered and aspiring filmmakers from South Asia and its diasporas with experts and decision-makers from companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, Sundance Institute, Roadside Attractions, Film Independent, Macro, The Salon, ColorCreative, CAPE, and more. Given the recent successes of South Asian filmmakers at the Oscars® and Cannes Film Festival, this is both timely and relevant.

Sharing her excitement about kicking off the 22nd edition of the festival, Christina Marouda, Executive Director of IFFLA, said, “At IFFLA, our aim is to create an ecosystem for South Asian films and talents in LA, the nation’s film and television industry hub. We strive to not only bring the best of South Asian films and talent to the diaspora audience but also to foster opportunities for new work, collaboration, and introduce LA to the vast pool of talent from South Asia. Our program is an eclectic mix of films from various parts of South Asia this year, and we can’t wait for LA audiences to experience these films that are deeply rooted in South Asian culture yet have a universal appeal.”

The India Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) will take place from Thursday, June 27, to Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Los Angeles, US. More information: www.indianfilmfestival.org