Dharamshala International Film Festival 2025 Showcases Oscar Entries, Award Winners, Global Cinema

The 2025 Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) will take place from October 30 to November 2 in Dharamshala, India, showcasing a diverse lineup of independent films including India's Oscar entry 'Homebound' by Neeraj Ghaywan and the closing night film 'Songs of Forgotten Trees' by Anuparna Roy, which explores themes of marginal voices and female agency. The festival features international selections such as Bhutan's Oscar entry 'I, The Song,' Australia's Oscar submission 'The Wolves Always Come at Night,' and acclaimed films from the Sundance and Cannes festivals, offering a rich program for cinema lovers. Besides screenings, DIFF provides educational opportunities with masterclasses led by Kiran Rao and acting sessions by Adil Hussain, emphasizing creative exchange. Meanwhile, the Durango Independent Film Festival in Colorado continues its tradition with a Best of Fest 2025 screening to raise funds for its 2026 edition, highlighting award-winning independent short films. Across the industry, technological shifts are underway as Netflix publicly embraces generative AI to enhance production efficiencies, despite resistance from filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro who oppose AI on ethical grounds, highlighting tensions between innovation and artistic integrity in Hollywood. These developments indicate a dynamic landscape in film culture and production, blending technological advancements with a commitment to independent and diverse storytelling.