The Dharamshala International Film Festival concluded on Sunday after four days of screenings and discussions. Filmmaker Kiran Rao spoke at the closing day's masterclass, addressing challenges facing independent cinema in India. She questioned whether audiences who enjoy watching independent films on streaming platforms are willing to pay for theatrical tickets. The festival screened several notable films including the Indian premiere of Venice winner Songs of Forgotten Trees and three official Oscar entries from India, Bhutan, and Australia. Screenings took place at Hermann Gmeiner Hall and two inflatable digital theatres. The event also featured masterclasses by actor Adil Hussain and Andrey A. Tarkovsky, son of the legendary Russian filmmaker, who spoke about his father's cinematic legacy. The festival transformed the mountain town into an open-air cinema venue, bringing together filmmakers and audiences for conversations about cinema.
Kiran Rao Questions Theatre Economics for Independent Films
During the Vision and Voice masterclass at the festival's final day, Kiran Rao discussed the economics of independent cinema. She acknowledged that streaming platforms have broadened audience tastes and brought films to wider viewers. However, she questioned whether these same audiences would pay ₹150 to watch independent films like Homebound or Sabar Bonda in theatres. Rao, who has served as Executive Producer on several independent films, expressed frustration about whether investing time, money and effort into such films is worthwhile without an assured paying audience. She noted a significant gap in distribution for independent films in India, pointing out that while people love the theatrical experience and watching films together, this option remains unavailable to most viewers.
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