9th DIFF Dharamshala International Film Festival
Oct 29 - Nov 4, 2020| Streaming from Dharamshala, India

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TBA21 and its chairwoman Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza have long been champions of the Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) and supporters of the critical role has it played in strengthening the cinematic infrastructure in South Asia. Since its inception in 2012 DIFF has been directed by Ritu Sarin & Tenzing Sonam of White Crane Films. TBA21 has commissioned and co-produced several film and video works by the duo since 2007. DIFF has remained faithful to its founding mission to promote contemporary art, cinema, and independent media practice in the Himalayan regions of India and to create an engaged cultural platform that encourages intercultural exchange by bringing local and international high-profile films and filmmakers to Dharamshala. 

As the seriousness of the Covid-19 pandemic continues, the 9th edition of DIFF will go online from 29 October to 4 November 2020.

DIFF once again promises to offer an eclectic slate of films that represents the finest in contemporary cinema from around the world. And will continue to engage with lovers of independent cinema and the filmmaking community through a series of carefully curated online panel discussions and Q&A sessions. DIFF has partnered with New Zealand-based Shift72, one of the world’s leading video streaming platforms.

“In the end, we decided that we had to keep DIFF going digitally, not only to give filmmakers a much-needed platform but also to connect with our audiences. We are very excited that people from all over South Asia will be able to view films from home this year!” said Ritu Sarin.

This year DIFF will show about 100 films from 40 countries! They include feature narratives, documentaries and shorts from around the world, and represent some of the finest independent films being made today. They also include works that daringly expand the frontiers of cinematic language, updating in often unexpected and delightful ways, the art of visual story-telling.

TBA21 will contribute Yeo Siew Hua's film An Invocation to the Earth , the inaugural episode on st_age (stage.tba21.org), the online platform for commissions initiated as a response to the Covid-19 crisis. 
DURATION
Oct 29 - Nov 4, 2020
LOCATION
DIFF has partnered with the international online platform SHIFT72 for its digital edition, which will take place from 29 October to 4 November.