Center for Indic Films (formerly Indica Pictures) is delighted to announce November 7–9, 2025 as the dates for the 6th edition of the Indic Film Utsav.
IMPORTANT UPDATE – 6th INDIC FILM UTSAV IS A COMPLETELY THEATRICAL EVENT. ONLINE MODEL HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.
Indic Film Utsav began during the COVID pandemic, launching as an online OTT model. This digital approach was key to our success, helping us thrive for five years—far longer than most festivals. In November 2024, we hosted a successful theatrical event in Dallas, which boosted our confidence and revealed strong local interest. With no Indian film festival currently in Dallas and a rapidly growing desi community, we saw an opportunity. We’ve now decided to transition into a FULLY THEATRICAL, DALLAS-BASED FESTIVAL!
Center for Indic Films (formerly Indica Pictures) firmly believes in the timelessness of cinema as an art form with the power to seed, nurture and nourish India’s pluralistic civilizational values. Please visit https://cif.indica.in for brief details of the films we screened over the last 5 years – so that you can see why we are the epicenter for Indic cinema. We screened over 250 Indic-themed films with a message of positivity.
Indic Film Utsav is now accepting submissions from filmmakers for a 100% THEATRICA MODEL WHERE FILMS WILL ONLY BE SCREENED IN A THEATER IN DALLAS – THERE WILL BE NO ONLINE OTT COMPOENENT GOING FORWARD. Filmmakers can take advantage of the Early Bird deadline to submit films without a submission fee.
Winning entries in various categories will be judged for
• Best Feature Film
• Best Documentary
• Best Short Film
Indic Film Utsav has chosen Film Freeway as the platform for filmmakers to submit their films.
While filmmakers can be of any nationality and live anywhere in the world, submissions must have a subject matter that pertains to India or is India-centric. Indic Film Utsav seeks films spanning across Indian arts and culture and everything else in-between.
Indic Film Utsav is a platform for filmmakers who are committed to obscure and untold indigenous and Indic civilizational stories that inspire, uplift, challenge, and captivate audiences. WE ARE A FESTIVAL FOR POSITIVE CINEMA! Film genres ranging from popular ones such as action, romance, comedy, horror, drama, musical, fantasy, etc., to niche genres such as religion, children, sci-fi, parody, biopics, etc., are welcome. Indic Film Utsav has a strong commitment to the power of positive cinema. Films that are disrespectful or insulting to any religion, caste, creed, gender, culture, or region will not be accepted. Films must carry a positive message to be eligible to participate in the festival.
(a) Narrative Feature Films - The Narrative Feature category is for fictional films of any genre that run for 60 minutes or longer including animated entries. Films submitted to this category will be eligible for our Narrative Feature Competition.
a. Two Awards in This Category-
• Jury Award – Best Film
• Audience Award – Best Film
(b) Documentary Feature Films - Any non-fiction film with a running time of up to 90 minutes. If your documentary contains re-enactments or other fictionalized depictions of actual events, you may submit it to this category. Indic Film Utsav reserves the right to change your category if needed. You will not be penalized if our committee chooses to change your category.
a. Two Awards in this category-
• Jury Award – Best Documentary
• Audience Award – Best Documentary
(c) Short Films - Any film with a running time of 40 minutes or less, including credits. This includes scripted or improvisational fiction, experimental films or videos, animation, music videos, or any other short-form film or video project.
a. Two Awards in this category-
• Jury Award – Best Short Film
• Audience Award – Best Short Film
Non-competitive Films - Indic Film Utsav is a competitive film festival with a non-competitive category too. When certain films may be accorded a premier screening status, they will be considered non-competitive. Similarly, Opening Night and Closing Night films will be considered as non-competitive. The Non-competitive category is for fictional or documentary films only of any genre and any length including animated entries. Films submitted to this category will NOT be eligible for Awards.
Note- Indic Film Utsav may institute additional awards as deemed fit.