Welcome to the Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati! Join us for a cinematic celebration of Indian culture  Oct 3-6.  Join us at The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati on Oct 4 for the Opening Night of  the film festival!

Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Indian cinema with a diverse selection of films showcasing the rich heritage and talent of Indian filmmakers.From Bollywood blockbusters to independent gems, there's something for every movie lover to enjoy. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to experience the magic of Indian cinema right here in Cincinnati!

Schedule of Events:

October 3, 2024

7:15pm: Mariemont Theatre, Wooster Pike

PRELUDE SHOWCASE Featuring Veteran Actress Aparna Sen

Parama a journey with Aparna Sen (English) - Director: Suman Ghosh - 82  mins

Suman Ghosh's film Parama, Aparna Sen, born into the world of art as the daughter of renowned Bengali critic, filmmaker, and translator Chidananda Das Gupta, was discovered at sixteen by Satyajit Ray for his Teen Kanya (1961). Her career gradually blossomed through the 70s, making significant contributions to both Bengali and Hindi cinema in both artistic and popular genres.

Sen directed her first fiction feature, 36 Chowringhee Lane, in 1981. Now, with fifteen films to her credit, she stands as one of India's most influential female filmmakers.

In Parama - A Journey with Aparna Sen, Ghosh invites Sen to revisit the locations of her iconic films. With surprising encounters and personal stories from those closest to her, this film offers a captivating introduction to one of the most significant bodies of work in world cinema.

In Parama, Aparna Sen takes on a secondary role, not as the titular character but rather as a reflection of Parama's life, which is overshadowed by her family rather than defined by her own individuality.

Trailer:  Parama  trailer.
Enjoy pre-film snacks and join us in a discussion of the film, after the screning.

October 4, 2024

6:15pm: Opening Film - The Children's Theatre of Cincinnnati, Red Bank Road.

Queen Of My Dreams - Director: Fawzia Mirza- 96 mins

Award winning director, Fawzia Mirza shines in this film, which blends nostalgia for a bygone era with a sharp critique of how neo-religious values have changed the landscape. At its core, it's a subtle exploration of how daughters mirror their mothers. Set in 1999, the story follows grad student Azra, who returns to her ancestral home in Karachi  after the sudden death of her father. Her stern mother, Mariam, insists that she embody the role of the perfect grieving daughter. Through flashbacks to Mariam's own life in Karachi 30 years earlier, the film reveals the deep connections between mother and daughter, beginning with their mutual admiration for Bollywood star Sharmila Tagore.

Trailer: Queen of My Dreams

Join us for drinks and snacks before the film followed bya discussion of the film.  

October 5, 2024

1:30pm: Mariemont Theatre, Wooster Pike

Investigator - Director Kamal Shaik - 106 mins

Hindi language film with English subtitles

A new investigator in a small town suspects the suicide of a woman to be premeditated murder, The woman had challenged abi;ities and lower status in life, The unsupportive superiors and lack of circumstantial evidence pushes the investigator's limits, until he proves his suspicions are correct, while the clock ticks towards another job transfer and care for his ailing wife.?

Trailer: Investigator  

Discussion after film.

Meet up for coffee at Starbucks on Wooster Pike. Buy your own coffee.

3:30pm: SHORTS COLLECTION - Mariemont Theatre, Wooster Pike

A Night After All-  US Premier

Director: Anshul Agrawal 15mins.

Hindi language film with English subtitles.

Featuring Ratna Pathak, "A Night, After All" delves into the intricate emotional and moral landscape faced by a retired couple as they navigate the delicate responsibility of caring for their 19-year-old niece, Bittu. The film masterfully explores the nuanced interplay of sacrifice, duty, and attachment, raising profound questions about the boundaries of familial obligation and the cost of love. As the couple wrestles with their evolving roles in Bittu's life, the narrative exposes the often unspoken tensions that lie at the heart of caregiving, where personal desires and moral imperatives collide in complex and deeply human ways.  

Trailer: A Night After All      

?Last Days Of Summer- Director: Stenzin Tankong - 15 mins

Boti Ladakhi language film with English subtitles

When the village outcast hears strange cracking sounds in the mountains, He struggles to get his voice heard, how will he redeem humself? Will anyone care besides his doting younger brother?  

?The Color Yellow- Director: Modhurima Sinha - 27 min

English language film.

"Yellow" delves into the lives of young girls after their rescue from the harrowing world of human trafficking.  Under the deft direction of Modhurima Sinha, the film confronts us with the lasting scars of trauma and the relentless battle against the pervasive injustices these survivors face.  Far from a simple narrative of liberation, it intricately explores the ongoing battle these survivors face, both externally and within themselves. The film weaves together themes of hope and resilience while confronting the profound trauma, discrimination, and societal stigmatization that continue to plague their lives. As they navigate the threats of re-victimization and the shadow of their past, "Yellow" portrays their fight not just for justice but for the reclamation of identity and dignity in a world that often denies them both.

Trailer: The Color Yellow     

IF - Director: Tathagatha Ghosh- 26 mins

Hindi language film with subtitles in English.

In " If," award-winning director Tathagata Ghosh delicately navigates the intricate terrain of same-sex love, crafting a poignant tale of two young women whose bond is fractured by the societal pressures of an arranged marriage. Through his masterful storytelling, Ghosh explores the emotional complexities of love that transcends traditional boundaries, where longing and separation are suffused with the weight of cultural expectations. Yet, amidst this heartache, the film introduces the powerful undercurrent of a mother's love-suggesting that, even in the face of rigid conventions, a different and more accepting future might still be possible.

Trailer: IF

?Khidki - Director: Anhad Mishra- 15 mins

Hindi language film with subtitles in English.

Anhad Mishra's Khidki serves as a poignant metaphor for the inevitable complexities of aging, using the window as both a literal and symbolic frame through which we witness the life of Suresh, played by Naseeruddin Shah. Suresh's tranquil, if solitary, existence is profoundly disrupted when he faces eviction from his beloved apartment, a space that holds more than just memories-it represents his last tangible link to the outside world. Through this window, Suresh clings to a sense of connection and continuity, yet the looming loss of his home forces him to confront the fragility of aging, isolation, and the diminishing sense of control over one's life. The film offers a deeply empathetic exploration of how the passage of time reshapes our understanding of home, identity, and belonging.

Trailer: Khidki   

?Discussion after the film with directors,  Carry the discussion over to our next venue.

SPECIAL SCREENING Featuring Veteran Actress Sharmila Tagore

6:15pm: ?CENTERPIECE - The Children's Theatre of Cincinnnati, Red Bank Road.

The Outhouse - Director: Sunil Sukthankar. -96 mins.

Hindi language film with subtitles in English.

?In this beautifully crafted film, director Sunil Suthanker takes us on a poignant journey into the lives of the elderly. Older viewers will instantly connect with its heartfelt portrayal, while younger audiences come to realize that age is merely a number. Through the lens of shared human experiences-love, loss, and resilience-Suthanker bridges the gap between generations, showing that these emotions transcend age.

Nana, a retired and stubborn old man, is unaware that an unexpected visitor-a puppy-will transform his life. Aadima, a seasoned graphic artist, is oblivious to how this same puppy will lead her into adventures she'd never have sought out on her own. Meanwhile, Neel, Aadima's grandson, is about to discover that he will play a crucial role in helping both Nana and Aadima understand the needs of elderly singles.

Trailer: The Outhouse       

Join us  over light snacks for discussion of the film Discussion after the film. Afterfilm gathering at Ghost Baby in OTR. Buy your own Drinks.

October 6, 2024

3:30pm: Mariemont Theatre, Wooster Pike

Mithya- Director: Sumanth Bhatt - 97 mins

Kannada language film with subtitles in English.

In Sumanth Bhat's evocative debut, Mithun, an impressionable eleven-year-old, is thrust into the complexities of filial love and jealousy following the tragic loss of his parents. Sent to live with estranged relatives in a serene yet unfamiliar village, Mithun becomes the unwitting center of custody disputes, a battleground for competing familial loyalties. As he navigates this fraught terrain, Mithun uncovers hidden truths that will forever alter his understanding of family. Anchored by a compelling performance from Athish Shetty, the film is a poignant meditation on the power of the filial bond-its capacity for both love and rivalry-while exploring the intertwined emotions of grief, acceptance, and belonging that shape the delicate balance of familial relationships.

6:15pm: CLOSING FILM - Mariemont Theatre, Wooster Pike

The Yellow Bus-Director/writer: Wendy Bednarz -109 mins

Arabic, English, Hindi, Tagalog, Urdu Subtitles in English.

In her powerful film, director Wendy Bednarz immerses us in the visceral and emotional journey of an Indian woman living in the Arabian Gulf, whose life is upended by a harrowing discovery: her daughter has been left to suffer and die in the unforgiving desert heat on a school bus.

Driven by an unyielding resolve, the mother becomes a lone voice against a backdrop of systemic injustice and neglect. Bednarz masterfully captures the depth of the mother's anguish and determination, portraying her relentless pursuit of truth and justice as a profound testament to the strength of a parent's love. Through this intense and personal struggle, the film explores how one individual's fight can challenge and potentially transform entrenched structures of wrongdoing.

Trailer: The Yellow Bus   

Discussion follows. Meet up at  The Quarter Bistro.

Date: October 3 - 6, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Cincinnati, OH

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