Our Bureau
Los Angeles, CA
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a grant of $20,000.
“Projects like the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles exemplify the creativity and care with which communities are telling their stories, creating connection, and responding to challenges and opportunities in their communities—all through the arts,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “So many aspects of our communities such as cultural vitality, health and wellbeing, infrastructure, and the economy are advanced and improved through investments in art and design, and the National Endowment for the Arts is committed to ensuring people across the country benefit.”
IFFLA said the grant will support the 23rd edition of its festival in 2025.
“We’re truly honored and thrilled to be receiving this award and the recognition from NEA,” said IFFLA Executive Director Christina Marouda. “This invaluable support will empower IFFLA to present the most exciting and groundbreaking cinema of South Asia and its diasporas to the diverse audiences of Los Angeles, and to offer this underrepresented community of emerging and established South Asian filmmakers numerous industry-facing mentorship, educational, and networking opportunities.”
IFFLA curates a vibrant program comprising features and shorts, including narrative, documentary, and animated works. Since its inception, the festival has presented over 700 films and 300 events and has built a strong alumni community of over 1,000 filmmakers worldwide. Film selections include films that are rarely or never distributed in the US. IFFLA’s Los Angeles location in the heart of Hollywood allows the festival to introduce these films to international audiences and serve those engaged in South Asian cinema.
IFFLA brings to Los Angeles audiences the most exciting and groundbreaking independent cinema from South Asia and its diasporas. The festival offers emerging and underrepresented storytellers’ numerous industry-facing mentorship, educational and networking opportunities.
IFFLA’s annual festival, now in its 22nd year, offers a vibrant program comprising features and shorts, including narrative, documentary, and animated works. The festival showcases films from eight countries in the South Asian subcontinent – Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – as well as their diasporas in the US and worldwide.
