Dharamshala International Film Festival Is Back With A Bang

The 12th edition of the Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) is poised to captivate cinema enthusiasts as it brings forth a stunning lineup of highly anticipated films. Among the standout screenings, Manoj Bajpayee's compelling drama "Joram" and Varun Grover's insightful "All India Rank" will take centre stage.

Films Headlining The Festival: "Joram" And "All India Rank"

DIFF is scheduled to be held at the Tibetan Children's Village in Upper Dharamshala from November 4 to November 7. "All India Rank," Varun Grover's directorial debut, is set as the festival opener. At the same time, "Joram," directed by Devashish Makhija and starring Manoj Bajpayee, is slated to bring the event to a close.

The festival has taken a unique turn by partnering with PictureTime, a mobile theatre company. PictureTime has erected two inflatable screening halls alongside equipped auditoriums with cutting-edge 2K projection systems and 5.1 Dolby surround sound. This initiative promises an immersive movie-watching experience amidst the serene Himalayan foothills.

Collaboration and Cinematic Offerings

Sushil Chaudhary, the Founder of PictureTime Digiplex, emphasised the aim to deliver an unforgettable movie experience. The partnership between PictureTime and DIFF aims to provide filmmakers, delegates, and cinema enthusiasts with an unparalleled big-screen theater-like experience.

Talking about his partnering with DIFF, Chaudhary said, "PictureTime has joined forces with DIFF to offer filmmakers, delegates, and cinema enthusiasts an experience akin to a big-screen theatre. Our collaboration is flourishing, and this year, we’ve expanded to include four auditoriums equipped with an immersive viewing environment, three of which boast DCI-compliant screens. With each passing year, the festival’s growth is evident, and we take pride in being a contributing partner."

Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, Founders and Festival Directors of DIFF, expressed their excitement about the collaboration with PictureTime Digiplex. Their mobile cinemas, renowned for maintaining high technical standards, have revolutionised cinema access in India's rural and remote areas.

"Their revolutionary mobile cinemas have taken cinema to India’s rural and remote heartlands while maintaining high technical standards. Not only has PictureTime provided two state-of-the-art screening halls at Tibetan Children’s Village, DIFF’s official venue for 2023, but it has also equipped two on-site auditoriums with 2K projection systems and 5.1 Dolby surround sound for an immersive viewing experience. Strengthening this longtime partnership, PictureTime Founder and CEO Sushil Chaudhary is a member of DIFF’s Board of Directors in 2023," Sarin and Sonam said in a joint statement.

Other Details

DIFF will present a selection of 92 films originating from over 40 countries, encompassing 31 feature narratives, 21 feature documentaries, and 40 short films.

Among the highly anticipated titles are the world premiere of "Bottle Radha," produced by Pa. Ranjith and directed by Dhinakaran Sivalingam, Rima Das's "Tora's Husband," Achal Mishra's "Ri," "The Winter Within" directed by Aamir Bashir, and Vinay Shukla's "While We Watched."

Beyond the film exhibitions, the festival will host panel discussions and masterclasses conducted by industry experts and filmmakers.