Dallas, TX, October 13, 2025
News Summary
The Indic Film Utsav (IFU) will host its 6th edition, titled ‘The Festival of Positive Cinema,’ at the Galaxy Theater in Dallas. Scheduled for November 7-9, this three-day event will feature the North American premiere of ‘American Warrior’ and other films selected from over 1350 entries, showcasing various cultural narratives and uplifting stories.
Dallas — The Indic Film Utsav (IFU) has announced its lineup for its 6th edition, a three-day celebration of uplifting cinema set for November 7–9, 2025 at the Galaxy Theater at the Grandscape, The Colony, Dallas, TX. The festival, presented as The Festival of Positive Cinema, will open with the North American premiere of American Warrior, and will feature a curated program of narrative features, shorts, student works and documentaries selected from a large international entry pool.
Lead details
The Indic Film Utsav (IFU) has announced its lineup for its 6th edition. The festival is titled “The Festival of Positive Cinema.” The event will take place from November 7–9, 2025. Venue: Galaxy Theater at the Grandscape, The Colony, Dallas, TX.
Opening night and program
The festival will open with the North American premiere of “American Warrior,” directed by Gustavo Martin Benites. The protagonist of “American Warrior,” played by Vishy Ayyar, is an Indian American confronting his past. The screening of “American Warrior” will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker and cast.
Program scope and selections
This year’s festival features narrative features, short films, student works, and documentaries. Films will be presented in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, and Bengali, all with English subtitles. Approximately twenty films have been selected from over 1350 entries.
Notable titles and themes
Notable films include “Caste Gate – The Untold Story” by Vikram Mishra, focusing on Hindu phobia, and “Ahana – The Light Within” by Promita Bhowmick. Other films explore themes of musical heritage, childlike innocence, survival, and cultural exchange. Films like “87 Rupees Ink Pen” and “Aata Tu Motha Jhalas” depict the dilemmas of growing up. The festival also includes student shorts like “Bhamakalapam” and “Lady Bird!” that reflect diversity and human spirit.
Origins, local context and objectives
The festival was founded in 2020 as an OTT festival and has since evolved into a fully theatrical experience. Dallas has a rapidly growing Indian community, making it a fitting location for the festival. Danji Thotapalli, Co-founder and Chief Curator, emphasizes the festival as a celebration of uplifting stories through cinema. The festival aims to create a space for meaningful conversations and highlight the human spirit.
Events and community engagement
Alongside screenings, the festival will provide networking opportunities with filmmakers and special events for the Dallas film community. The schedule includes filmmaker Q&A sessions, panel discussions designed to foster dialogue about positive and uplifting storytelling, and curated showcases of student work intended to support emerging filmmakers.
Logistics and accessibility
All films will be presented with English subtitles. The venue, Galaxy Theater at the Grandscape, offers theatrical screenings in a central entertainment complex in The Colony, Dallas, TX.
What to expect
Attendees can expect a concentrated program of films selected to reflect resilience, cultural exchange and human values, together with opportunities to meet filmmakers and participate in conversations about creative approaches to positive cinema. Programming covers a range of languages and formats with a focus on uplifting narratives.
FAQ
What has the Indic Film Utsav announced?
The Indic Film Utsav (IFU) has announced its lineup for its 6th edition.
What is the festival titled?
The festival is titled “The Festival of Positive Cinema.”
When will the event take place?
The event will take place from November 7–9, 2025.
Where is the festival being held?
Venue: Galaxy Theater at the Grandscape, The Colony, Dallas, TX.
Which film opens the festival?
The festival will open with the North American premiere of “American Warrior,” directed by Gustavo Martin Benites.
Who is the protagonist in “American Warrior”?
The protagonist of “American Warrior,” played by Vishy Ayyar, is an Indian American confronting his past.
Will there be a Q&A after the opening screening?
The screening of “American Warrior” will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker and cast.
What kinds of films are included in the program?
This year’s festival features narrative features, short films, student works, and documentaries.
Which languages will be represented?
Films will be presented in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, and Bengali, all with English subtitles.
How many films were selected?
Approximately twenty films have been selected from over 1350 entries.
Which notable films are part of the lineup?
Notable films include “Caste Gate – The Untold Story” by Vikram Mishra, focusing on Hindu phobia, and “Ahana – The Light Within” by Promita Bhowmick.
What themes do other films explore?
Other films explore themes of musical heritage, childlike innocence, survival, and cultural exchange.
Which films address coming-of-age dilemmas?
Films like “87 Rupees Ink Pen” and “Aata Tu Motha Jhalas” depict the dilemmas of growing up.
Are there student films in the program?
The festival also includes student shorts like “Bhamakalapam” and “Lady Bird!” that reflect diversity and human spirit.
Who is one of the festival organizers?
Danji Thotapalli, Co-founder and Chief Curator, emphasizes the festival as a celebration of uplifting stories through cinema.
What are the festival’s aims?
The festival aims to create a space for meaningful conversations and highlight the human spirit.
What other activities will the festival provide?
Alongside screenings, the festival will provide networking opportunities with filmmakers and special events for the Dallas film community.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Festival name and edition | The Indic Film Utsav (IFU) has announced its lineup for its 6th edition. |
| Festival title | The festival is titled “The Festival of Positive Cinema.” |
| Dates | The event will take place from November 7–9, 2025. |
| Venue | Venue: Galaxy Theater at the Grandscape, The Colony, Dallas, TX. |
| Opening film | The festival will open with the North American premiere of “American Warrior,” directed by Gustavo Martin Benites. |
| Selection size | Approximately twenty films have been selected from over 1350 entries. |
| Languages | Films will be presented in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, and Bengali, all with English subtitles. |
| Program types | This year’s festival features narrative features, short films, student works, and documentaries. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- India Currents: 6th Indic Film Utsav Celebrates Textures of India
- Wikipedia: Film Festival
- India Currents: Indic Film Utsav Panel Discussions
- Google Search: Indic Film Utsav
- India Currents: Films Exploring Cultural Heritage at the 2025 IFU
- Google Scholar: Cultural Exchange in Film
- India Currents: Networking Opportunities at Indic Film Utsav
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Indian Cinema
- India Currents: Positive Cinema and Its Impact
- Google News: Positive Cinema
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DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
