Glide into the waters of the Cauvery, where India’s smooth coated otters reveal playful bonds, fragile resilience, and breathtaking survival. Narrated by Sugandhi Gadadhar with fisherman Shivanna “Shivu,” this award winning documentary unveils never before seen behavior and the delicate balance between wildlife and human livelihoods.

Celebrated at leading international wildlife festivals, My Otter Diary is a cinematic triumph made possible by Sugandhi Gadadhar, Rana Belur, and the film team. It is more than a nature documentary — it is a moving portrait of humor, resilience, and fragility, and an urgent call for conservation.

Don’t miss this Earth Day Special screening — and the opportunity to meet the filmmakers in person for a brief Q&A!

Day 1 — 28 March 2026 (Saturday)

Venue: SHARANAM, Ousterimedu, Sri Aurobindo Society, Tamil Nadu

Arrival

• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm — Lunch (for early arrivals)
• 1:00 pm onwards — Refresh & room allocation
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm — Arrival of participants

Afternoon–Evening (4:30 pm – 8:30 pm)

• 4:30 – 4:40 pm — Welcome herbal tea
• 4:40 – 4:45 pm — Welcome to P/APF 2026 (Anju Makhija, Gayatri Majumdar, K. Srilata)
• 4:45 – 5:10 pm — Invocation & Music (Gautam Mitra, Shantanu Verma, Shahana U)
• 5:10 – 5:30 pm — Vishendevi Award + TBC-Wood Rose Spiritual Poetry Prize
• 5:30 – 5:50 pm — Dance & Movement (Sherihan Mustaffa)
• 5:50 – 6:05 pm — Tea Break
• 6:05 – 6:40 pm — Recitations of Sri Aurobindo’s poems
• 6:40 – 7:00 pm — Book launch: Field Notes on Kindness (Ankush Banerjee)
• 7:00 – 8:00 pm — Panel: “How Does Poetry Help in Coping with War”
• 8:15 pm onwards — Dinner

Day 2 — 29 March 2026 (Sunday)

Morning

• 7:00 – 8:45 am — Farm Walk (Flowers & Their Significance)
• 8:45 – 9:45 am — Breakfast
• 9:45 onwards — Refresh
• 10:45 – 11:45 am — Workshop: Reconstructing Memory from the Margins
• 11:45 – 12:30 pm — Panel: Body, Memory & Creativity
• 12:00 onwards — Lunch & Rest

Afternoon–Evening (Unity Pavilion, Auroville)

• 3:30 pm — Assemble & bus to Auroville
• 4:15 – 4:30 pm — Art exhibition introduction
• 4:30 – 4:40 pm — Talk: “Auroville: The City that Earth Needs”
• 4:40 – 6:20 pm — Poetry readings (10 poets)
• 6:20 – 6:30 pm — Tea Break
• 6:30 – 6:50 pm — Music
• 6:50 – 8:30 pm — Poetry readings (continued)
• 8:30 – 9:30 pm — Dinner
• 9:30 pm — Return to SHARANAM

Day 3 — 30 March 2026 (Monday)

Morning (SHARANAM)

• 8:30 – 9:30 am — Breakfast
• 10:00 – 11:00 am — Panel: Academia & Poetry
• 11:00 – 11:20 am — Hindustani Classical Music
• 11:20 – 12:20 pm — Workshop on French Poetry
• 12:30 pm onwards — Lunch & Rest

Evening (Palais de Mahe, Pondicherry)

• 4:15 pm — Assemble & depart
• 5:15 – 5:30 pm — Tea
• 5:30 – 5:40 pm — Welcome
• 5:40 – 6:00 pm — Talk: Heritage & Handicrafts of Pondicherry
• 6:00 – 8:30 pm — Book launches & readings
• 8:30 pm — Thank you
• 8:40 pm onwards — Dinner & return

Day 4 — 31 March 2026 (Tuesday)

• 8:30 – 9:30 am — Breakfast
• 11:00 am onwards — Departure
• Goodbye

Poets & Participants (Selected)

Yamini Dand Shah, Seema Jain, Sahana Ahmed, Sushmindar Jeet Kaur,
Amanita Sen, Swati Pal, Ankush Banerjee, Sonali Pattnaik, Kavita Singhal,
Trina Chakraborti, Manav Ratti, Pervin Saket, Gitanjali Dillippe,
Kandala Singh, Rita Nath Keshari, Tuhin Bhowal, Sudha Chandrashekaran,
Kamalini Reena Natesan, Anju Makhija, K. Srilata, Gayatri Majumdar

Melodie (Paris) blends Hip Hop with Bharatanatyam & Kathak, creating a powerful hybrid movement language. Member of Hype N Spicy and Nritta Calling, she has received 8 awards across France & internationally since 2019.

Abhilash’s sessions explore improvisation through martial arts principles & contemporary dance — working with breath, speed, energy & spatial awareness, inspired by Kalari Payattu.

Venue: New Creation Studios
WhatsApp:
Savitri: +91 8940477667 (studio details)
Abhilash: +91 9980560577 (workshop info)

To join, please register your name in advance to confirm your participation.

Friday, February 27th | 7:00 PM onwards
Conscious Light Film
The award winning documentary on Avatar Adi Da Samraj

Open to anyone interested in consciousness, inner transformation, and the life of a spiritual master. Come witness, reflect, and explore.

Venue: No. 1, 9th Cross Extension Rd, Puducherry

Limited seating. Registration recommended.

Kindly fill the form for registering: https://forms.gle/xzkXmy3WdPH26Sxd8

WhatsApp Renee at 0031631278493 for more details (for Adidam Europe & India)

The movie tells the tale of a cattle herder and his family who reside in the dunes of Timbuktu, who find their quiet lives, which are typically free of the Jihadists determined to control their faith, abruptly disturbed.

Screening Details
Date: 22-2-2026
Time: 3:30 PM
Venue: Alliance Française de Pondichéry, 58, Suffren St, White Town, Puducherry, 605001.
Language: French – With English Subtitles
Entry: Free (open to everyone above the age of eighteen)

The 9^th Auroville Film Festival 2026 got off to a brilliant start on the 18^th of January 2026 with a live music performance by Auroville band NoizeGate playing Creedence Clearwater Revival.

The Auroville Film Festival, organised by residents of Auroville, aims to showcase films that attempt to foster a deeper understanding of the aspirations of Auroville through a creative engagement with the medium of cinema, as well as turning film-viewing from a passive activity into an intimate dialogue between artist and audience. The festival screens films that reflect the creative, experimental and spiritual research Auroville is dedicated to.

During the week, the festival featured 48 films in the category of films made by residents of Auroville, the bioregion and Pondicherry. Made with local participation, the films in this category form a mosaic bringing together the local creative community in an exchange of documentaries, ideas and stories. The richness of the selection in this category featured prominent local filmmakers like Stanzin Raghu, Alessandra Silver, Serena Aurora, Lesley Branagan, Aurovenkatesh, Cheenu Wild, Jeremy Carroll, Yuvasri, Smiti, Yatra Srinivassan and Jalil Nordman. There were some exciting experimental shorts proposed by Nefertiti Chakrabarti. Emerging filmmakers like Ravikiran Rangaswamy, Lisbeth Nusselein, Birgitta Volz, Uttara Jadeja, Sampriti Roy, Donny Lee Duke, Nandha Kumar, Rishi Vengadesan, Gobinath Mounissamy, Kanchan Avchare, Mukul Kumar, Divya Mani, Karthik K, Magheshwar Kumaran, Lalit Verma and Anna-Maria Bakhtiarova had a warm reception.

There were 8 films in the category of films made about Auroville, the bioregion and Pondicherry. This selection of films by visiting filmmakers about Auroville and the bioregion, its various projects, people and undertakings, brings home the image of our region as it appears to the world outside. International filmmakers in this category included Joseh Garcia and Alan Baiss from Canada. Exceptional films that were screened in this category were made by the students of the Auroville Film Institute, including Santosh, Polash, Kartik, Sai Krishna, Stanzin, Jahnavi, Amogh, Pia, Partha, Yoni, and Logeswaran.

Managed by Richa Hushing and Rrivu Laha (graduates of FTII), the Auroville Film Institute offers regular courses, both online and on site, featuring well known independent filmmakers as faculty.

There were 47 films in the category of films that develop the theme of human unity. This segment features a carefully curated selection of short and feature-length films that dwell upon themes of human unity and values similar to that of Auroville, accompanied by discussions that further elaborate on these themes. The category featured the work of filmmakers from around the world including Shonali Bose, Sreemoyee Singh, Nishtha Jain, Tarun Jain, Tathagata Ghosh, Rizwan Hussain, Bijukumar Damodaran, Aajad Singh Khichi, Piyush Thakur and Rima Das, to name just a few. The film Wisdom Of Happiness featuring the Dalai Lama was one of the well appreciated films.

Eminent jury members for the Aurovilian films included Premendra Mazumder (Vice President of the Federation of Film Societies of India, Ashavari Majumdar (Director of the Manifest Dance-Film Festival), and Dr. T Balasaravanan (Dept of Electronic Media and Mass Communications, Pondy University). Jury members from Auroville were Rajeev, Nitzan and Gita and they decided the winning films in the human unity category.

The screenings were held at three venues (CRIPA, Kalabhumi Amphitheatre and MMC/CP) and were complemented by outdoor music performances, discussions (at Centre d’Art), and an art installation.

The proliferation of digital cameras and the constantly improving quality of smartphone cameras

have made it possible for just about anyone to make their own movie, and one of the goals of the

Auroville Film Festival is to showcase and encourage local talent in this field. Part of the festival is, therefore, a Kino Kabaret! Kino Kabarets are events where artists collaborate to create films within 48 hours and, in our festival, all these films were screened on the last day.

The importance of festivals organised by the residents of Auroville can never be overstated, especially in the way they contribute to local vitality and stimulate cultural development in Auroville. The outdoor screenings and performances and the crowds they drew further testify to the power of outdoor arts to bring together audiences that might otherwise not take the trouble to attend art events.

This festival aims to bring people and cultures together within Auroville and beyond, thereby furthering the aspiration of human unity. With the ninth edition of the Auroville Film Festival the experience was one that went beyond film-viewing, turning it into a truly fulfilling cultural experience.

WINNING FILMS IN THE CATEGORY OF FILMS MADE BY AUROVILIANS AND RESIDENTS OF THE BIOREGION

Mongbra Award :

MORIBUND by Birgitta Volz : This impactful film highlights the resilience and creativity of the Auroville community as it faces ecological and other challenges.

Cinema Paradiso Award :

SOUND OF AIR by Rishi Vengadesan :  The film stands out with its treatment of sound and image reinforcing its choice of an interesting subject.

Wisdom award:

ECM’ 24 by Nefertiti Chakrabarti : A sensitive and complex tribute to the Endangered Crafts Mela that conveys the transformative experience of learning and apprenticeship in Auroville.

The Jury Award was shared by two films

Jury Award 1 :

EARLY YEARS IN AUROVILLE by Lisbeth Nusselein : This film blends archival photographs with an autobiographical narrative that invites the audience to reflect on the journeys and voices that have built Auroville.

Jury Award 2 :

30 YEARS OF KEEPING THE MUSIC FLOWING by Serena Aurora :  This film highlights the insipiring effort by Aurovillians to harmonise its diverse notes and sing in one voice – a metaphor for the community as a whole.

WINNING FILMS IN THE CATEGORY OF FILMS MADE ABOUT AUROVILLE AND THE BIOREGION

Cinema Paradiso Award :

REFLEKT by Santosh Manik: The film is a tribute to the transformative power of cinema tracing the directors journey from being a student of technique to emerging as an artist in the vibrant spiritual landscape of Auroville.

Wisdom Award :

NOTES FOR THE SELF by Jahnavi Pradeep: The film effectively uses Aurovilles landscape to depict the tensions and harmonies of a mother-daughter relationship as a poignant visual poem.

Jury Award :

BLOOMING HOUR by Logeswaran M – An honest, lyrical exposition of the beauty of mornings.

WINNING FILMS IN THE CATEGORY OF FILMS THAT DEVELOP THE THEME OF HUMAN UNITY

Cinema Paradiso Award:

AGENT OF HAPPINESS by Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó  : This documentary takes place in Bhutan. In 2008, Bhutan adopted the Gross National Happiness index, intended as a holistic way of measuring quality of life. The movie follows two agents who are hired to travel around Bhutan to carry out the Gross National Happiness survey. The film highlights happiness as a complex and personal experience, shaped by inner states and external conditions. Along the way, we witness a blossoming love story, moments of hope and disappointment, humour, and the beauty of the country itself.

Wisdom Award:

PATROL by Camilo de Castro and Brad Allgood : Patrol takes us through the rainforest in the Indio Maíz Reserve in Nicaragua. Rapid illegal deforestation is taking place to feed the growing demand for meat, especially for export to the USA. The documentary follows the Rama-Kriol people, who are determined to protect the forest in a peaceful yet powerful way. They collect data and travel across Nicaragua and finally the world to take legal action and bring the issue to light. They show a deep love for nature and an understanding of all humanity’s dependence on the health of the rainforest. The film shows how structural and economic pressures are driving environmental destruction.

Jury Award:

NO OTHER LAND : It depicts the generations long struggle on an almost barren area that is dotted with tiny villages. It allows viewers to experience the daily lives of the villagers and shows their humanity and ability to find moments of joy and laughter amidst hardship and brutality. The movie depicts human resilience and persistence in the face of crushing failures as well as the power of the powerless.

Special Mention:

FARMING THE REVOLUTION by Nishtha Jain : The film depicts the collective strength of farmers, who across generations and social backgrounds, come together to defend their livelihood. It shows how a shared purpose can become a unifying force.

THIS FESTIVAL WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF:

A_lineMeant to Be, Aaro, Aashay, Akash, Amy, Anand, Anandi, Aneeta, Ann, Arul, Arun, Ashwin, Aurosylle, Auroville Bakery Cafeteria, Auroville Radio, Binu Kumar, brainfever media productions, Brothers House, Centre d’Art, Chandra, Christoph K, Coffee Ideas, CRIPA, Daljeet, Damien, Dhananjey, Dharmesh, Dhruv, Divya, Dominique, Dustudio, Edo, Elaine, Elena, Erik, Fabienne, Fakirah, Fred, Glenn, Goyo, Gustavo, Guy, Hibiscus Art Village, InLight, Jayala, Jean Francois, Jenny, Jenya, Jethin, Joy, Julietta, Jurriaan,  Kalabhumi Music Studio, Kripa, Krishna, Kshitij, Laura, Laxmanan, Lella, Liliana, Malina, Marco S, Mathilde, Melody, Miniature, MMC/CP, Moghan, My Favourite Things, Nadaprem, Nandha, Naturellement, Nausheen, Nina, Nirami, Noizegate, Odile, Pala, Palani, Pavneet, Prasad, Ramesh, Rashmi, Raul, Renu, Right Path Café, Rob, Robin, Rolf, Rosie, Rugved, Saga and his team, Shakti, Sakthi Arts, Salman, Sandra, Sasi, Shanti, Sharmili, Simon, Softnet, Sundar, Sunlit Future, Surendhar, Suryan, Suzy, Swar, Sylvie, Tixon, Tlaloc, Tommaso, Utkarsh, Valerie, Venkatesh, Verena, Yunsung, and many more who offered their support as a sadhana.

Thank you!

Fotos: Marco Saroldi

Shakti Arts warmly welcomes the community to live music performances and a selection of films curated by AVFF ’26.

Sunday 18 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Screenings

• 19:30 | Farming The Revolution (India, 2024, Dir. Nishtha Jain, 105min, NR R) In 2020 Gurbaz Sangha, a young Punjabi farmer led thousands to Delhi protesting new Farm Laws. Joined by over half a million from diverse backgrounds they remained at borders despite COVID lockdown, vowing to stay until laws were repealed.
• 21:15 | Purna Maha Kumbh Mela (India 2025, Dir. Lalit Verma, 22min, NR G) Experience the Purna Maha Kumbh Mela. A journey within.
• 21:37 | The Waves Will Never Stop (India, 2025, Dir. Karthik Sreenivasan w/ Sai Krishna L V, Sanjana Reddy, 10min, NR G) Fisherman Narayanan carries memories of the 2004 Tsunami that shattered his village. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 21:47 | The Poetics Of Change (India, 2025, Dir. Logeswaran M, 10min, NR G) Experimental narrative, exploring Ladakh as a time capsule through juxtaposed shots. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.

Monday 19 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: A Line Meant To Be

Screenings

• 19:30 | Moon Juice/Chander Rosh (India, 2025, Dir. Nefertiti Chakrabarti, 3min, NR G) Shot on a single reel of super 8 film with no editing. Premiered at Straight 8 2025 at the British Film Institute.
• 19:33 | Moribund: An Art Project (India, 2025, Dir. Birgitta Volz, 6min, NR G) Dedicated to Auroville, currently under pressure. Presents the destruction of Auroville as symbolic of environmental vandalism. Birgitta’s art reflects the crisis.
• 19:39 | Moments Of Joy (India, 2025, Dir. Santosh Manik, 11min, NR G) A poetic journey into the mind of Ladakhi poet Padma Angmo. Her verses blend with the rhythms of nature and daily life, asking us to slow down and rediscover joy in simplicity. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 19:50 | Afrotōpia (Gabon, 2025, Dir. David Mboussou, 128min, NR G) Set in Equatorial Africa, in the heart of the Congo Basin, the film follows Ezekiel, a 25-year-old aspiring filmmaker who lives under the authority of his father, Maurice, a powerful businessman who opposes his artistic ambitions.

Tuesday 20 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Suryan

Screenings

• 19:30 | The Cosmic Atomic/Brahmandam Pindandam (India, 2025, Dir. Kanchan Avchare, 20min, NR G) Traces the journey of civilization from the harnessing of fire through technology. An absurdist take on the purposelessness of the universe.
• 19:49 | Bride Of Aravan (India, 2023, Dir. Lesley Branagan, 49min, NR G) Captures the register of life as a transgender woman in south India through the protagonist Bawadharini.
• 20:39 | I Stole Your Ashes/He Robado Tus Cenizas (Spain, 2024, Dir. Felipe Olaya, 23min, NR R) Isabel has become a widow at 65. After stealing the urn of ashes, Isabel takes refuge in a park to say goodbye to the love of her life.
• 21:02 | Ballad Of The Mountain (India, 2024, Dir. Tarun Jain, 17min, NR G) An outcast girl must fight the bullies and overcome her fears to pursue her ambition to fly to the other side of the mountain.
• 21:19 | The Nightingale’s Song (UK-USA, 2024, Dir. Adam Loften w/ Emmanuel Vaughn-Lee, 40min, NR G) The voices of nightingales have lit up the forests of England for over a million years. As climate change impacts their grounds, they may disappear within 50 years.

Wednesday 21 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Auroville Trio

Screenings

• 19:30 | Why/Чому (Ukraine-Spain, 2023, Dir. Natxo Leuza Fernandez, 22min, NR R) Why do they humiliate us? Why do they take everything from us? Why do I have to run away?
• 19:52 | The First Film (India, 2024, Dir. Piyush Thakur, 24min, NR G) In a small town of 1960’s India, where cinema is forbidden for women, a 14-year-old embarks on a quest to watch her first film.
• 20:16 | Dear Beautiful Beloved (Austria, 2024, Dir. Juri Rechinsky, 93min, NR R) There is a war going on in Europe. Our neighbors are fleeing from death and destruction. This film will give a face to some of their stories.
• 21:48 | Amudha (India, 2025, Dir, Rosann Robinson, 11min, NR G) Amudha is a young girl, who sells balloons near the beach. She and her sister are orphans.

Thursday 22 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Jayala
• 18:30 | Live Music: Fakirah

Screenings

• 19:30 | Aloha ‘Āina (USA, 2024, Dir. Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee w/ Adam Loften, 47min, NR G) Today, Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio’s poetry is focused on protecting sacred sites and creating a future for Native Hawaiians rooted in ‘love for and of the land’.
• 20:17 | A Game of Destiny (India-UK, 2024, Dir. Zorba, 9min, NR G) At 6 years of age, Tibetan Kunsang found himself living in an orphanage as a refugee. 30 years later, Kunsang shares his story of life living in exile.
• 20:26 | Trashy Film/Kuppai Padam (India, 2025, Dir. Stanzin, 86min, NR G) A writer loses his laptop just before an important meeting and must race to find it with no memory of the last 12 hours.

Friday 23 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Vera’s Jazz Band

Screenings

• 19:30 | Village Rockstars 2 (India, 2024, Dir. Rima Das, 108min, NR G) In a village in Assam, a teenage girl passionately chases her dream of becoming a musician. Faced with harsh realities, she seeks a new harmony.
• 21:18 | How Would One Know If One Forgets Something? (India, 2025, Dir. Karthik Sreenivasan w/ Sai Krishna L W, Stanzin Angdu, 9min, NR G) Traces memory, change, and the passage of time in the fragile landscape of Ladakh. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 21:27 | Kooli Koduthu Sooniyam (India, 2023, Dir. Yatra Srinivassan, 9min, NR PG-13) A family torn apart by the protagonist’s alcohol addiction.
• 21:36 | You Lift On A Stroke, There’s A Dog Shelter (India, 2025, Dir. Donny Lee Duke, 17min, NR G) A video-photo-poem documentary about the Auroville Dog Shelter and the relationship between a human and the Supreme.

Saturday 24 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Edo & crew

Screenings

• 19:30 | Purga (Lithuania, 2024, Dir. Gintarė Valevičiūtė Brazauskienė w/ Antanas Skučas, 13min, NR R) Winter, 1942. Beyond the Arctic Circle, on an uninhabited island, deported people struggle to survive.
• 19:43 | Agent Of Happiness (Bhutan, 2024, Dir. Arun Bhattarai w/ Dorottya Zurbó, 94min, NR R) Amber is one of the many agents working for the Bhutanese government to measure people’s happiness levels among the remote Himalayan mountains.
• 21:17 | In The Light Of Time (India, 2025, Dir. Jahnavi Pradeep w/ Amogh Chauhan, 13min, NR G) Centered on prehistoric rock art sites along the Indus and Zanskar rivers, the film is a ‘love story’ between past, present, and future. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 21:29 | The Voice Of Others/La Voix Des Autres (France, 2023, Dir. Fatima Kaci, 30min, NR R) Rim is a Tunisian interpreter working in France on asylum procedures. Every day, she translates the stories of exiled men and women.

Sunday 25 January, 2026

• 17:00 | Awards

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Blackcurrant

Screenings

• 19:30 | Reflekt (India, 2025, Dir. Santosh Manik, 11min, NR G) Chronicles a filmmaking residency at the Auroville Film Institute. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 19:41 | Where’s Masi? (India, 2025, Dir. Uttara Jadeja, 10min, NR PG-13) A homemade horror film about a young woman racing to save her friend from a sinister entity.
• 19:50 | The Strange Case Of The Human Cannonball (Ecuador, 2024, Dir. Roberto Valencia, 10min, NR R) A mysterious man is found lying in the square of a village inhabited by only six residents.
• 20:01 | Films Created In The Kino Kabaret (Auroville, 2026, Multiple Directors, 120min, NR G) All films were created within 48 hours on the 23rd and 24th of January 2026. The short films have in common one prop, one sound effect and one line of dialogue.

CRIPA warmly welcomes the community to the AVFF ‘26 screenings. Doors open 15 minutes before showtime. For everyone’s enjoyment, kindly avoid crossing in front of the screen or using mobile phones when lights are off. Food and beverages are not permitted inside the hall.

Sunday 18 January, 2026

• 19:00 | Goodbye Julia (Sudan, 2023, Writer-Dir. Mohamed Kordofani, Feature, 120min, Arabic w/ English subtitles, NR R) Wracked by guilt after covering up a murder, Mona – a northern Sudanese retired singer in a tense marriage – tries to make amends by taking in the deceased’s southern Sudanese widow, Julia, and her son, Daniel, into her home. Awarded at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in France.
• 21:00 | The Owl-Eyed Guardian And The Banyan Dream (India, 2024, Writer-Dir. Alessandra Silver, Fiction, 59min, Tamil-English w/ English subtitles, NR G) This visually captivating and deeply spiritual film sheds light on the untold story of Andhayee, the enigmatic guardian of Auroville’s origins.
• 21:59 | Anything Or Everything Could Be Theatre (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Divya Mani, Documentary, 22min, English, NR G) In the coastal serenity of Auroville, the 2025 Adishakti Theatre Festival unfolds as a celebration of performance, spirit, and human connection.

Monday 19 January, 2026

• 19:00 | Pushpa Ka Rickshaw (India, 2023, Dir. Aajad Singh Khichi, Documentary-Short, 16min, Nimadi-Malvi w/ English subtitles) In a remote village of Charbardi, in central India, Puspha Didi breaks the stereotype by driving the e-rickshaw, the first woman driver in the entire tehsil, not marred by people casting doubts on her capabilities.
• 19:15 | Wisdom Of Happiness (Switzerland, 2024, Dir. Barbara Miller w/ Philip Delaquis, Documentary, 90min, English, NR G) The film is a profound new cinematic exploration of the innermost world of the Dalai Lama, perfectly attuned to our times. In an intimate heart-to-heart, the world’s greatest ambassador of compassion invites everyone along for a journey to the source of happiness.
• 20:46 | Standing Alone (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Smiti, Documentary, 75min, Tamil-English w/ English subtitles NR G) This documentary series looks at the individual life-journeys of 6 women who are single mothers from villages situated near Auroville. There are many more… Each has her own unique story and yet the hardships faced are common.
• 22:01 | Adventures Of Nono (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Santosh Manik, Documentary, 20min, Hindi w/ English subtitles, NR G) Adventures of Nono is set in the highlands of Ladakh. It is an intimate observational documentary that follows the everyday world of a two-year-old boy “Nono”, a child full of life, curiosity, and courage. Produced by Auroville Film Festival.

Tuesday 20 January, 2026

• 19:00 | A Clay Connect (India, 2024, Editor-Dir. Serena Aurora, Documentary, 5min, English-Tamil w/ English subtitles, NR G) Traditional clay pottery in India is dying out since the younger generation has no interest in keeping the art form alive. This film captures the crossover of generations, featuring how contemporary and traditional styles blend to create unique pieces.
• 19:05 | An Afternoon With Das Anna (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Pia Sukhija, Documentary, 6min, Silent, NR G) Set in the streets of Auroville, the City of Dawn, this no-dialogue documentary spends an afternoon with Das, a quiet cobbler in Auroville whose daily rituals unfold into the rhythm of the street. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 19:11 | The Wait (South Africa, 2023, Writer-Dir. Imran Hamdulay, Short, 15min, Afrikaans-English-Xhosa w/ English subtitles, NR R) The film is an allegory of South Africa’s complex society, where a sense of powerlessness and hope exist together at all times.
• 19:26 | Go My Way/Yo Voy Conmigo (Spain, 2024, Writer-Dir. Chelo Loureiro, Animation-Short, 7min, Spanish w/ English subtitles, NR G) Elisa likes Martin, but Martin doesn’t seem to realise it. All the advice Elisa receives to make Martin fall in love with her is to change not only her appearance, but also who she really is.
• 19:33 | Gingerbread For Her Dad (Kazakhstan-Poland-Russian Federation, 2024, Writer-Dir. Alina Mustafina, Documentary-Feature-Drama, 84min, English-Kazakh-Polish-Russian w/ English subtitles) 85-year-old Lyabiba doesn’t remember her father, who died in World War II. Her only memory is of shouting joyfully about receiving ‘consolation’ gingerbread cookies after her father’s death notice. Lyabiba’s daughter and granddaughter (the film’s director) decide to find the mass grave in Poland where Lyabiba’s father was buried.
• 20:57 | Disconnected Echoes (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Polash PK, Documentary, 18min, Bengali-English with English subtitles, NR G) In July 2024, filmmaker Polash was in Ladakh when communication with his family in Bangladesh was cut off due to civil unrest. This documentary captures his emotional journey and isolation, alongside stories of separation from local families he stayed with in Ladakh. Produced by Auroville Film Festival.
• 21:15 | Blooming Hour/மலரும் நேரம் (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Logeswaran M, Documentary, 14min, Tamil w/ English subtitles, NR G) Trust brewing between the morning birds and the man who recently began feeding them. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 21:29 | Who Do You Think You Are? (Canada, 2025, Producer-Editor-Dir. Alan Baiss w/ Joseh Garcia, Documentary, 65min, English, NR G) Inspired by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, asking what global crises are asking of us.

Wednesday 21 January, 2026

• 19:00 | Earth-chitecture: Building With Mud (India, 2024, Producer-Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Sampriti Roy, Documentary, 11min, English, NR G) Demonstrations on how to make CSEB and ferro cement for buildings featuring Ayyappan, Radhika and Satprem.
• 19:10 | Green SuperHeroes 2030 (United States, 2024, Writer-Dir. Los Angeles Barea, Documentary, 79min, English, NR G) A group of 10 young environmentalists changing the world for the better. Their powers make the planet greener.
• 20:29 | Ground Zero: Self-portrait Of An Ocean Abuser (Spain, 2024, Writer-Dir. David Gaspar, Documentary, 28min, Spanish w/ English subtitles, NR R) The film invites us to become aware of the problem of pollution in the oceans and the conflict it generates within us. Through an ironic and biting perspective, it tries to make us reflect on our responsibility in this regard with the aim of helping us improve our commitment to the oceans with small gestures.
• 20:57 | Breaking Language/Romer el Español (Argentina, 2025, Dir. Sofia Castro, Documentary-Experimental, 17min, Argentinian Sign Language w/ English subtitles, NR G) Merging Argentinian Sign Language, dance, and documentary, the film presents the perspectives of four Deaf artists as they examine ideas of identity and resistance within a cultural and linguistic minority, the need for poetic and artistic creation in one’s own language, and the importance of feminism within the Deaf community.
• 21:15 | And, Towards Happy Alleys (Islamic Republic of Iran-India, 2023, Writer-Dir. Sreemoyee Singh, Documentary-Feature, 75min, Persian with English subtitles, NR R) A passionate declaration of love for the cinema and poetry of Iran, which also offers a frank view of the precarious situation for critics of the regime and shows the uncompromising daily struggle of Iranian women against their oppression.

Thursday 22 January, 2026

• 19:00 | H2O My Love/H2O Mon Amour (France, 2023, Writer-Dir. Laëtitia Martinoni, Short, 18min, French w/ English subtitles, NR R) Is it reasonable to fall in love during the end of the world? Alice and Simon meet as the water war rages.
• 19:18 | Sunday (Uzbekistan, 2023, Writer-Dir. Shokir Kholikov, Feature, 96min, Uzbek w/ English subtitles, NR R) An elderly couple is living a peaceful life in a quiet Uzbek village. The elderly parents cherish their old home and are resistant to any change, leading to a conflict between the generations, where the struggle between tradition and progress reaches a breaking point.
• 20:54 | 30 Years Of Keeping The Music Flowing – Auroville Choir (India, 2024, Producer-Writer-Dir. Serena Aurora, Documentary, 38min, English, NR G) Like the melting pot that Auroville is, the choir is an amalgamation of singers from across countries, age groups, and disciplines, performing music spanning different decades and centuries.
• 21:32 | Where Trees Weep/Donde Se Quejan Los Pinos (Spain, 2024, Producer-Dir. Ed Antoja, Short, 10min, Spanish w/ English subtitles, NR R) A rural community wakes up to a crime scene in the middle of the forest. Little by little, a series of previous situations show us the conflicts that happened in the same place.
• 21:42 | India Textile Part 1 (Russia-India, 2024, Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Anna-Maria Bakhtiarova, Documentary, 19min, Russian w/ English subtitles, NR G) A masters student sets out to discover the ancient art of Indian textiles.
• 22:02 | India Textile Part 2 (Russia-India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Anna-Maria Bakhtiarova, Documentary, 21min, Russian w/ English subtitles, NR G) A masters student sets out to discover the ancient art of Indian textiles.
• 22:22 | Indygama (India, 2024, Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Anna-Maria Bakhtiarova, Documentary, 6min, English, NR G) An anagama kiln in south India draws in ceramists with its magical and organic firings.

Friday 23 January, 2026

• 19:00 | It Comes in Waves (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Editor-Sound-Dir. Nefertiti Chakrabarti, Documentary, 4min, English, NR G) Shot on 16mm film, hand-developed in a basement and spliced in the mountains. A kaleidoscope of a small town in India, once colonized, now free.
• 19:03 | Art Form/Kalai Vadivam (India, 2024, Writer-Editor-Dir. S. Yuvasri, Documentary, 5min, Tamil w/ English subtitles, NR G) A form of folk theatre from Tamil Nadu known as kattaikkuttu or therukoothu, featuring traditional theatre, song, dance, and ritual.
• 19:09 | Last Resort/Chareh (Islamic Republic of Iran, 2024, Producer-Writer-Dir. Samiramis Kia, Short, 15min, Persian w/ English subtitles, NR R) An Iranian mother must find the will to change her destiny to be able to obtain custody of her daughter.
• 19:24 | Junks And Dolls/Ashghal-ha Va Arousak-ha (Islamic Republic of Iran, 2023, Dir. Manijeh Hekmat, Feature, 75min, Farsi w/ English subtitles, NR R) A couple is destined to build up their life in the heart of a waste depot in the Iranian north forests. They begin to make different things with the junk they find and start to make friends with the other people… but what remains of the people who are determined to fight their nature?
• 20:39 | Sound Of Air (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Rishi Vengadesan, Documentary, 14min, English-Hindi w/ English subtitles, NR G) Explores changes to Indian classical music after the introduction of the harmonium and the relationship between the instrument maker and musicians.
• 20:53 | Don Benjamin (Spain, 2024, Writer-Dir. Iván Zahinos, Short, 29min, Spanish w/ English subtitles, NR R) For Don Benjamín, the jungle has always been God, life, food, health, beauty and tradition. Now, the world in which he built a home for his family turns to smoke and ashes. This film is a journey both raw and poetic through a magical region in danger: the Bolivian Amazon.
• 21:22 | The Farming Land (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Dir. Mukul Kumar, Experimental-Dance, 15min, Silent, NR G) A surreal meditation on the weight of being. Won ‘Outstanding Indian Debut’ at Manifest Dance Film Festival 2025.

Saturday 24 January, 2026

• 19:00 | No Other Land/Lā Arḍ Ukhrá (Falesteen-Norway, 2024, Writer-Dir. Basel Adra w/ Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Documentary, 95min, Arabic-Hebrew-English w/ English subtitles, NR R) The film was recorded between 2019 and 2023 and shows the destruction of a Falasteenian community in the occupied area, which had been resisting forced displacement after a ‘firing zone’ was declared on their land. This movie won more than 40 international awards.
• 20:35 | My Comrade/Amar Comrade (India, 2024, Producer-Dir. Tathagata Ghosh, Short, 25min, Bengali-Santali w/ English subtitles, NR R) When a wounded rebel accidentally takes refuge in the home of a tribal villager, both men’s lives spiral into a tense interplay of politics and forbidden love.
• 20:59 | A Fly On The Wall (Switzerland-India, 2024, Producer-Dir. Shonali Bose w/ Nilesh Maniyar, Documentary-Feature, 83min, English, NR R) Loved ones pour in from different parts of the world to raise one last toast with Chika Kapadia, who has an appointment at Dignitas for physician assisted suicide in the coming week, having chosen not to be tied to tubes and wires in his last moments. A filmmaker friend tasked with shooting Chika’s countdown to death records her own feelings, weaving a tale of dignity in death through the lens of friendship.
• 22:22 | In The Wake Of The Wind (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Pia Sukhija, Documentary, 7min, English w/ English subtitles, NR G) An exploration of a single day in the lives of a nomadic herder community on the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.

Sunday 25 January, 2026

• 19:00 | In The Name Of (India, 2024, Producer-Writer-Editor-Dir. Rizwan Hussain, Short-Drama-Silent, 5min, English, NR G) In a village town, two elderly men find themselves at a bus stop, their routine interrupted by a sudden event nearby. As they spring into action, their unexpected response to the situation resonates deeply and leaves a profound impact that transcends the ordinary.
• 19:05 | Early Years In Auroville 1969-1976 (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Camera-Dir. Lisbeth Nusselein, Documentary, 9min, English, NR G) Lisbeth’s journey in 1970 to Auroville from the Netherlands, told through archival photographs covering travel, arrival, life, work, the Mother, and community.
• 19:14 | Letter to Mother (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Dir. Partha P Datta, Documentary-Short, 5min, Bengali w/ English subtitles, NR G) On an evening field filled with children, Partha stands apart due to an injured leg. The film is a letter to his mother, expressing his quiet loneliness. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 19:19 | If/যদি (Jodi) (India, 2023, Producer-Dir. Tathagata Ghosh, Short, 26min, Bengali w/ English subtitles, NR R) An arranged marriage tears a lesbian couple apart, but with a mother’s love, perhaps another future is possible.
• 19:45 | Village Rockstars 2 (India, 2024, Producer-Writer-Dir. Rima Das, Feature, 108min, Assamese w/ English subtitles, NR G) In a charming village in Assam, India, a teenage girl passionately chases her dream of becoming a musician. Faced with harsh realities, she embarks on a journey to rediscover the profound connection between music and life, seeking a new harmony in the symphony of her dreams.
• 21:33 | Morning Star Auroville: Supporting Families Through Pregnancy, Birth, And Beyond (India, 2024, Editor-Dir. Serena Aurora, Documentary, 15min, English, NR G) A health and wellness initiative in Auroville supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and early parenting, urges a cultural shift to recognize birth as a life-changing experience for the family.
• 21:48 | Orain (Spain, 2024, Dir. Ainara Oto Barberena, Documentary, 15min, Spanish w/ English subtitles, NR G) Sara has to make a documentary about Orain, a special education school. She needs to get the perfect images, but her attempts are frustrated by a series of crazy situations that bring her to the brink of a nervous breakdown. With the help of the kids, Sara learns the importance of living in the present.
• 22:03 | Once Upon A Forest (India, 2024, Dir. Paul Blanchflower w/ Aurovenkatesh, Documentary, 13min, English with English subtitles, NR G) The film explores the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest, the rarest forest type in India. Today less than 0.1 percent remains. It is a resilient environment, essential for the next generation on the Coromandel coast.
• 22:17 | Project Wightiana (India, 2025, Dir. Cheenu Wild, Documentary, 10min, English w/ English subtitles, NR G) The film follows the journey of a forgotten wild Indian coffee species – Coffea Wightiana – in the Silence Forest of Auroville. A native, climate-resilient species that may hold answers to the future of coffee.

Presented by Bharat Nivas, The Pavilion of India, Auroville.

Event Overview

Experience a traditional Bharatanatyam repertoire performed in the original methodology of the art form by Anuratha Swaminathan.

Anuratha is the disciple and daughter-in-law of the renowned Guru B. Herambanathan, a ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi’ and ‘Kalaimamani’ awardee, and a hereditary Nattuvanar of the Thanjavur School of Bharatanatyam.

Performance Details

• Date: Saturday, 24th January 2026

• Time: 07:00 pm

• Venue: Sri Aurobindo Auditorium, Bharat Nivas, Auroville

Live Orchestra

The performance features a live orchestra led by Guru Thanjavur Swaminatha Pillai Herambanathan:

• Nattuvangam: Thanjavur Swaminatha Pillai Herambanathan

• Mridangam: Vasantharaja

• Vocal: Vel Murugan

• Violin: Kiruba Murali

Contact & Logistics

• Enquiry Contact: Krishna at +91 97878 80211

• Parking: Available outside at the Main Gate

Learn more & register:
bit.ly/AurovilleStories2068

What is your most hopeful vision for Auroville?

Please join this 6-week storytelling project to imagine Auroville realizing its potential by its 100th birthday in 2068 — and to craft short, realistic, and hopeful “future memories” we’ll share with the community on March 8.

Whether you feel optimistic or find it hard to imagine a hopeful future, your stories are important. Using guided visualizations, story circles, and creative exercises (with imagery support from an award-winning filmmaker!) we will dream into lived possibilities — together.

FYI, this is not about “sides” or political debate. Aurovilians, Newcomers, and non-Aurovilians of all perspectives are welcome. Let’s dream together and imagine pathways toward Auroville becoming a city living in harmony with each other and the planet.

Contact Daniel Greenberg (daniel@ic.org or +91 92172 52447) with questions.

CRIPA warmly welcomes the community to the AVFF ‘26 screenings. Doors open 15 minutes before showtime. For everyone’s enjoyment, kindly avoid crossing in front of the screen or using mobile phones when lights are off. Food and beverages are not permitted inside the hall.

Sunday 18 January, 2026

• 19:00 | Goodbye Julia (Sudan, 2023, Writer-Dir. Mohamed Kordofani, Feature, 120min, Arabic w/ English subtitles, NR R) Wracked by guilt after covering up a murder, Mona – a northern Sudanese retired singer in a tense marriage – tries to make amends by taking in the deceased’s southern Sudanese widow, Julia, and her son, Daniel, into her home. Awarded at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in France.
• 21:00 | The Owl-Eyed Guardian And The Banyan Dream (India, 2024, Writer-Dir. Alessandra Silver, Fiction, 59min, Tamil-English w/ English subtitles, NR G) This visually captivating and deeply spiritual film sheds light on the untold story of Andhayee, the enigmatic guardian of Auroville’s origins.
• 21:59 | Anything Or Everything Could Be Theatre (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Divya Mani, Documentary, 22min, English, NR G) In the coastal serenity of Auroville, the 2025 Adishakti Theatre Festival unfolds as a celebration of performance, spirit, and human connection.

Monday 19 January, 2026

• 19:00 | Pushpa Ka Rickshaw (India, 2023, Dir. Aajad Singh Khichi, Documentary-Short, 16min, Nimadi-Malvi w/ English subtitles) In a remote village of Charbardi, in central India, Puspha Didi breaks the stereotype by driving the e-rickshaw, the first woman driver in the entire tehsil, not marred by people casting doubts on her capabilities.
• 19:15 | Wisdom Of Happiness (Switzerland, 2024, Dir. Barbara Miller w/ Philip Delaquis, Documentary, 90min, English, NR G) The film is a profound new cinematic exploration of the innermost world of the Dalai Lama, perfectly attuned to our times. In an intimate heart-to-heart, the world’s greatest ambassador of compassion invites everyone along for a journey to the source of happiness.
• 20:46 | Standing Alone (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Smiti, Documentary, 75min, Tamil-English w/ English subtitles NR G) This documentary series looks at the individual life-journeys of 6 women who are single mothers from villages situated near Auroville. There are many more… Each has her own unique story and yet the hardships faced are common.
• 22:01 | Adventures Of Nono (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Santosh Manik, Documentary, 20min, Hindi w/ English subtitles, NR G) Adventures of Nono is set in the highlands of Ladakh. It is an intimate observational documentary that follows the everyday world of a two-year-old boy “Nono”, a child full of life, curiosity, and courage. Produced by Auroville Film Festival.

Tuesday 20 January, 2026

• 19:00 | A Clay Connect (India, 2024, Editor-Dir. Serena Aurora, Documentary, 5min, English-Tamil w/ English subtitles, NR G) Traditional clay pottery in India is dying out since the younger generation has no interest in keeping the art form alive. This film captures the crossover of generations, featuring how contemporary and traditional styles blend to create unique pieces.
• 19:05 | An Afternoon With Das Anna (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Pia Sukhija, Documentary, 6min, Silent, NR G) Set in the streets of Auroville, the City of Dawn, this no-dialogue documentary spends an afternoon with Das, a quiet cobbler in Auroville whose daily rituals unfold into the rhythm of the street. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 19:11 | The Wait (South Africa, 2023, Writer-Dir. Imran Hamdulay, Short, 15min, Afrikaans-English-Xhosa w/ English subtitles, NR R) The film is an allegory of South Africa’s complex society, where a sense of powerlessness and hope exist together at all times.
• 19:26 | Go My Way/Yo Voy Conmigo (Spain, 2024, Writer-Dir. Chelo Loureiro, Animation-Short, 7min, Spanish w/ English subtitles, NR G) Elisa likes Martin, but Martin doesn’t seem to realise it. All the advice Elisa receives to make Martin fall in love with her is to change not only her appearance, but also who she really is.
• 19:33 | Gingerbread For Her Dad (Kazakhstan-Poland-Russian Federation, 2024, Writer-Dir. Alina Mustafina, Documentary-Feature-Drama, 84min, English-Kazakh-Polish-Russian w/ English subtitles) 85-year-old Lyabiba doesn’t remember her father, who died in World War II. Her only memory is of shouting joyfully about receiving ‘consolation’ gingerbread cookies after her father’s death notice. Lyabiba’s daughter and granddaughter (the film’s director) decide to find the mass grave in Poland where Lyabiba’s father was buried.
• 20:57 | Disconnected Echoes (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Polash PK, Documentary, 18min, Bengali-English with English subtitles, NR G) In July 2024, filmmaker Polash was in Ladakh when communication with his family in Bangladesh was cut off due to civil unrest. This documentary captures his emotional journey and isolation, alongside stories of separation from local families he stayed with in Ladakh. Produced by Auroville Film Festival.
• 21:15 | Blooming Hour/மலரும் நேரம் (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Logeswaran M, Documentary, 14min, Tamil w/ English subtitles, NR G) Trust brewing between the morning birds and the man who recently began feeding them. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 21:29 | Who Do You Think You Are? (Canada, 2025, Producer-Editor-Dir. Alan Baiss w/ Joseh Garcia, Documentary, 65min, English, NR G) Inspired by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, asking what global crises are asking of us.

Wednesday 21 January, 2026

• 19:00 | Earth-chitecture: Building With Mud (India, 2024, Producer-Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Sampriti Roy, Documentary, 11min, English, NR G) Demonstrations on how to make CSEB and ferro cement for buildings featuring Ayyappan, Radhika and Satprem.
• 19:10 | Green SuperHeroes 2030 (United States, 2024, Writer-Dir. Los Angeles Barea, Documentary, 79min, English, NR G) A group of 10 young environmentalists changing the world for the better. Their powers make the planet greener.
• 20:29 | Ground Zero: Self-portrait Of An Ocean Abuser (Spain, 2024, Writer-Dir. David Gaspar, Documentary, 28min, Spanish w/ English subtitles, NR R) The film invites us to become aware of the problem of pollution in the oceans and the conflict it generates within us. Through an ironic and biting perspective, it tries to make us reflect on our responsibility in this regard with the aim of helping us improve our commitment to the oceans with small gestures.
• 20:57 | Breaking Language/Romer el Español (Argentina, 2025, Dir. Sofia Castro, Documentary-Experimental, 17min, Argentinian Sign Language w/ English subtitles, NR G) Merging Argentinian Sign Language, dance, and documentary, the film presents the perspectives of four Deaf artists as they examine ideas of identity and resistance within a cultural and linguistic minority, the need for poetic and artistic creation in one’s own language, and the importance of feminism within the Deaf community.
• 21:15 | And, Towards Happy Alleys (Islamic Republic of Iran-India, 2023, Writer-Dir. Sreemoyee Singh, Documentary-Feature, 75min, Persian with English subtitles, NR R) A passionate declaration of love for the cinema and poetry of Iran, which also offers a frank view of the precarious situation for critics of the regime and shows the uncompromising daily struggle of Iranian women against their oppression.

Thursday 22 January, 2026

• 19:00 | H2O My Love/H2O Mon Amour (France, 2023, Writer-Dir. Laëtitia Martinoni, Short, 18min, French w/ English subtitles, NR R) Is it reasonable to fall in love during the end of the world? Alice and Simon meet as the water war rages.
• 19:18 | Sunday (Uzbekistan, 2023, Writer-Dir. Shokir Kholikov, Feature, 96min, Uzbek w/ English subtitles, NR R) An elderly couple is living a peaceful life in a quiet Uzbek village. The elderly parents cherish their old home and are resistant to any change, leading to a conflict between the generations, where the struggle between tradition and progress reaches a breaking point.
• 20:54 | 30 Years Of Keeping The Music Flowing – Auroville Choir (India, 2024, Producer-Writer-Dir. Serena Aurora, Documentary, 38min, English, NR G) Like the melting pot that Auroville is, the choir is an amalgamation of singers from across countries, age groups, and disciplines, performing music spanning different decades and centuries.
• 21:32 | Where Trees Weep/Donde Se Quejan Los Pinos (Spain, 2024, Producer-Dir. Ed Antoja, Short, 10min, Spanish w/ English subtitles, NR R) A rural community wakes up to a crime scene in the middle of the forest. Little by little, a series of previous situations show us the conflicts that happened in the same place.
• 21:42 | India Textile Part 1 (Russia-India, 2024, Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Anna-Maria Bakhtiarova, Documentary, 19min, Russian w/ English subtitles, NR G) A masters student sets out to discover the ancient art of Indian textiles.
• 22:02 | India Textile Part 2 (Russia-India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Anna-Maria Bakhtiarova, Documentary, 21min, Russian w/ English subtitles, NR G) A masters student sets out to discover the ancient art of Indian textiles.
• 22:22 | Indygama (India, 2024, Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Anna-Maria Bakhtiarova, Documentary, 6min, English, NR G) An anagama kiln in south India draws in ceramists with its magical and organic firings.

Friday 23 January, 2026

• 19:00 | It Comes in Waves (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Editor-Sound-Dir. Nefertiti Chakrabarti, Documentary, 4min, English, NR G) Shot on 16mm film, hand-developed in a basement and spliced in the mountains. A kaleidoscope of a small town in India, once colonized, now free.
• 19:03 | Art Form/Kalai Vadivam (India, 2024, Writer-Editor-Dir. S. Yuvasri, Documentary, 5min, Tamil w/ English subtitles, NR G) A form of folk theatre from Tamil Nadu known as kattaikkuttu or therukoothu, featuring traditional theatre, song, dance, and ritual.
• 19:09 | Last Resort/Chareh (Islamic Republic of Iran, 2024, Producer-Writer-Dir. Samiramis Kia, Short, 15min, Persian w/ English subtitles, NR R) An Iranian mother must find the will to change her destiny to be able to obtain custody of her daughter.
• 19:24 | Junks And Dolls/Ashghal-ha Va Arousak-ha (Islamic Republic of Iran, 2023, Dir. Manijeh Hekmat, Feature, 75min, Farsi w/ English subtitles, NR R) A couple is destined to build up their life in the heart of a waste depot in the Iranian north forests. They begin to make different things with the junk they find and start to make friends with the other people… but what remains of the people who are determined to fight their nature?
• 20:39 | Sound Of Air (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Editor-Camera-Sound-Dir. Rishi Vengadesan, Documentary, 14min, English-Hindi w/ English subtitles, NR G) Explores changes to Indian classical music after the introduction of the harmonium and the relationship between the instrument maker and musicians.
• 20:53 | Don Benjamin (Spain, 2024, Writer-Dir. Iván Zahinos, Short, 29min, Spanish w/ English subtitles, NR R) For Don Benjamín, the jungle has always been God, life, food, health, beauty and tradition. Now, the world in which he built a home for his family turns to smoke and ashes. This film is a journey both raw and poetic through a magical region in danger: the Bolivian Amazon.
• 21:22 | The Farming Land (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Dir. Mukul Kumar, Experimental-Dance, 15min, Silent, NR G) A surreal meditation on the weight of being. Won ‘Outstanding Indian Debut’ at Manifest Dance Film Festival 2025.

Saturday 24 January, 2026

• 19:00 | No Other Land/Lā Arḍ Ukhrá (Falesteen-Norway, 2024, Writer-Dir. Basel Adra w/ Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Documentary, 95min, Arabic-Hebrew-English w/ English subtitles, NR R) The film was recorded between 2019 and 2023 and shows the destruction of a Falasteenian community in the occupied area, which had been resisting forced displacement after a ‘firing zone’ was declared on their land. This movie won more than 40 international awards.
• 20:35 | My Comrade/Amar Comrade (India, 2024, Producer-Dir. Tathagata Ghosh, Short, 25min, Bengali-Santali w/ English subtitles, NR R) When a wounded rebel accidentally takes refuge in the home of a tribal villager, both men’s lives spiral into a tense interplay of politics and forbidden love.
• 20:59 | A Fly On The Wall (Switzerland-India, 2024, Producer-Dir. Shonali Bose w/ Nilesh Maniyar, Documentary-Feature, 83min, English, NR R) Loved ones pour in from different parts of the world to raise one last toast with Chika Kapadia, who has an appointment at Dignitas for physician assisted suicide in the coming week, having chosen not to be tied to tubes and wires in his last moments. A filmmaker friend tasked with shooting Chika’s countdown to death records her own feelings, weaving a tale of dignity in death through the lens of friendship.
• 22:22 | In The Wake Of The Wind (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Editor-Camera-Dir. Pia Sukhija, Documentary, 7min, English w/ English subtitles, NR G) An exploration of a single day in the lives of a nomadic herder community on the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.

Sunday 25 January, 2026

• 19:00 | In The Name Of (India, 2024, Producer-Writer-Editor-Dir. Rizwan Hussain, Short-Drama-Silent, 5min, English, NR G) In a village town, two elderly men find themselves at a bus stop, their routine interrupted by a sudden event nearby. As they spring into action, their unexpected response to the situation resonates deeply and leaves a profound impact that transcends the ordinary.
• 19:05 | Early Years In Auroville 1969-1976 (India, 2025, Producer-Writer-Camera-Dir. Lisbeth Nusselein, Documentary, 9min, English, NR G) Lisbeth’s journey in 1970 to Auroville from the Netherlands, told through archival photographs covering travel, arrival, life, work, the Mother, and community.
• 19:14 | Letter to Mother (India, 2025, Writer-Editor-Dir. Partha P Datta, Documentary-Short, 5min, Bengali w/ English subtitles, NR G) On an evening field filled with children, Partha stands apart due to an injured leg. The film is a letter to his mother, expressing his quiet loneliness. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 19:19 | If/যদি (Jodi) (India, 2023, Producer-Dir. Tathagata Ghosh, Short, 26min, Bengali w/ English subtitles, NR R) An arranged marriage tears a lesbian couple apart, but with a mother’s love, perhaps another future is possible.
• 19:45 | Village Rockstars 2 (India, 2024, Producer-Writer-Dir. Rima Das, Feature, 108min, Assamese w/ English subtitles, NR G) In a charming village in Assam, India, a teenage girl passionately chases her dream of becoming a musician. Faced with harsh realities, she embarks on a journey to rediscover the profound connection between music and life, seeking a new harmony in the symphony of her dreams.
• 21:33 | Morning Star Auroville: Supporting Families Through Pregnancy, Birth, And Beyond (India, 2024, Editor-Dir. Serena Aurora, Documentary, 15min, English, NR G) A health and wellness initiative in Auroville supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and early parenting, urges a cultural shift to recognize birth as a life-changing experience for the family.
• 21:48 | Orain (Spain, 2024, Dir. Ainara Oto Barberena, Documentary, 15min, Spanish w/ English subtitles, NR G) Sara has to make a documentary about Orain, a special education school. She needs to get the perfect images, but her attempts are frustrated by a series of crazy situations that bring her to the brink of a nervous breakdown. With the help of the kids, Sara learns the importance of living in the present.
• 22:03 | Once Upon A Forest (India, 2024, Dir. Paul Blanchflower w/ Aurovenkatesh, Documentary, 13min, English with English subtitles, NR G) The film explores the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest, the rarest forest type in India. Today less than 0.1 percent remains. It is a resilient environment, essential for the next generation on the Coromandel coast.
• 22:17 | Project Wightiana (India, 2025, Dir. Cheenu Wild, Documentary, 10min, English w/ English subtitles, NR G) The film follows the journey of a forgotten wild Indian coffee species – Coffea Wightiana – in the Silence Forest of Auroville. A native, climate-resilient species that may hold answers to the future of coffee.

Shakti Arts warmly welcomes the community to live music performances and a selection of films curated by AVFF ’26.

Sunday 18 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Screenings

• 19:30 | Farming The Revolution (India, 2024, Dir. Nishtha Jain, 105min, NR R) In 2020 Gurbaz Sangha, a young Punjabi farmer led thousands to Delhi protesting new Farm Laws. Joined by over half a million from diverse backgrounds they remained at borders despite COVID lockdown, vowing to stay until laws were repealed.
• 21:15 | Purna Maha Kumbh Mela (India 2025, Dir. Lalit Verma, 22min, NR G) Experience the Purna Maha Kumbh Mela. A journey within.
• 21:37 | The Waves Will Never Stop (India, 2025, Dir. Karthik Sreenivasan w/ Sai Krishna L V, Sanjana Reddy, 10min, NR G) Fisherman Narayanan carries memories of the 2004 Tsunami that shattered his village. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 21:47 | The Poetics Of Change (India, 2025, Dir. Logeswaran M, 10min, NR G) Experimental narrative, exploring Ladakh as a time capsule through juxtaposed shots. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.

Monday 19 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: A Line Meant To Be

Screenings

• 19:30 | Moon Juice/Chander Rosh (India, 2025, Dir. Nefertiti Chakrabarti, 3min, NR G) Shot on a single reel of super 8 film with no editing. Premiered at Straight 8 2025 at the British Film Institute.
• 19:33 | Moribund: An Art Project (India, 2025, Dir. Birgitta Volz, 6min, NR G) Dedicated to Auroville, currently under pressure. Presents the destruction of Auroville as symbolic of environmental vandalism. Birgitta’s art reflects the crisis.
• 19:39 | Moments Of Joy (India, 2025, Dir. Santosh Manik, 11min, NR G) A poetic journey into the mind of Ladakhi poet Padma Angmo. Her verses blend with the rhythms of nature and daily life, asking us to slow down and rediscover joy in simplicity. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 19:50 | Afrotōpia (Gabon, 2025, Dir. David Mboussou, 128min, NR G) Set in Equatorial Africa, in the heart of the Congo Basin, the film follows Ezekiel, a 25-year-old aspiring filmmaker who lives under the authority of his father, Maurice, a powerful businessman who opposes his artistic ambitions.

Tuesday 20 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Suryan

Screenings

• 19:30 | The Cosmic Atomic/Brahmandam Pindandam (India, 2025, Dir. Kanchan Avchare, 20min, NR G) Traces the journey of civilization from the harnessing of fire through technology. An absurdist take on the purposelessness of the universe.
• 19:49 | Bride Of Aravan (India, 2023, Dir. Lesley Branagan, 49min, NR G) Captures the register of life as a transgender woman in south India through the protagonist Bawadharini.
• 20:39 | I Stole Your Ashes/He Robado Tus Cenizas (Spain, 2024, Dir. Felipe Olaya, 23min, NR R) Isabel has become a widow at 65. After stealing the urn of ashes, Isabel takes refuge in a park to say goodbye to the love of her life.
• 21:02 | Ballad Of The Mountain (India, 2024, Dir. Tarun Jain, 17min, NR G) An outcast girl must fight the bullies and overcome her fears to pursue her ambition to fly to the other side of the mountain.
• 21:19 | The Nightingale’s Song (UK-USA, 2024, Dir. Adam Loften w/ Emmanuel Vaughn-Lee, 40min, NR G) The voices of nightingales have lit up the forests of England for over a million years. As climate change impacts their grounds, they may disappear within 50 years.

Wednesday 21 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Auroville Trio

Screenings

• 19:30 | Why/Чому (Ukraine-Spain, 2023, Dir. Natxo Leuza Fernandez, 22min, NR R) Why do they humiliate us? Why do they take everything from us? Why do I have to run away?
• 19:52 | The First Film (India, 2024, Dir. Piyush Thakur, 24min, NR G) In a small town of 1960’s India, where cinema is forbidden for women, a 14-year-old embarks on a quest to watch her first film.
• 20:16 | Dear Beautiful Beloved (Austria, 2024, Dir. Juri Rechinsky, 93min, NR R) There is a war going on in Europe. Our neighbors are fleeing from death and destruction. This film will give a face to some of their stories.
• 21:48 | Amudha (India, 2025, Dir, Rosann Robinson, 11min, NR G) Amudha is a young girl, who sells balloons near the beach. She and her sister are orphans.

Thursday 22 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Jayala
• 18:30 | Live Music: Fakirah

Screenings

• 19:30 | Aloha ‘Āina (USA, 2024, Dir. Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee w/ Adam Loften, 47min, NR G) Today, Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio’s poetry is focused on protecting sacred sites and creating a future for Native Hawaiians rooted in ‘love for and of the land’.
• 20:17 | A Game of Destiny (India-UK, 2024, Dir. Zorba, 9min, NR G) At 6 years of age, Tibetan Kunsang found himself living in an orphanage as a refugee. 30 years later, Kunsang shares his story of life living in exile.
• 20:26 | Trashy Film/Kuppai Padam (India, 2025, Dir. Stanzin, 86min, NR G) A writer loses his laptop just before an important meeting and must race to find it with no memory of the last 12 hours.

Friday 23 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Vera’s Jazz Band

Screenings

• 19:30 | Village Rockstars 2 (India, 2024, Dir. Rima Das, 108min, NR G) In a village in Assam, a teenage girl passionately chases her dream of becoming a musician. Faced with harsh realities, she seeks a new harmony.
• 21:18 | How Would One Know If One Forgets Something? (India, 2025, Dir. Karthik Sreenivasan w/ Sai Krishna L W, Stanzin Angdu, 9min, NR G) Traces memory, change, and the passage of time in the fragile landscape of Ladakh. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 21:27 | Kooli Koduthu Sooniyam (India, 2023, Dir. Yatra Srinivassan, 9min, NR PG-13) A family torn apart by the protagonist’s alcohol addiction.
• 21:36 | You Lift On A Stroke, There’s A Dog Shelter (India, 2025, Dir. Donny Lee Duke, 17min, NR G) A video-photo-poem documentary about the Auroville Dog Shelter and the relationship between a human and the Supreme.

Saturday 24 January, 2026

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Edo & crew

Screenings

• 19:30 | Purga (Lithuania, 2024, Dir. Gintarė Valevičiūtė Brazauskienė w/ Antanas Skučas, 13min, NR R) Winter, 1942. Beyond the Arctic Circle, on an uninhabited island, deported people struggle to survive.
• 19:43 | Agent Of Happiness (Bhutan, 2024, Dir. Arun Bhattarai w/ Dorottya Zurbó, 94min, NR R) Amber is one of the many agents working for the Bhutanese government to measure people’s happiness levels among the remote Himalayan mountains.
• 21:17 | In The Light Of Time (India, 2025, Dir. Jahnavi Pradeep w/ Amogh Chauhan, 13min, NR G) Centered on prehistoric rock art sites along the Indus and Zanskar rivers, the film is a ‘love story’ between past, present, and future. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 21:29 | The Voice Of Others/La Voix Des Autres (France, 2023, Dir. Fatima Kaci, 30min, NR R) Rim is a Tunisian interpreter working in France on asylum procedures. Every day, she translates the stories of exiled men and women.

Sunday 25 January, 2026

• 17:00 | Awards

Performance

• 18:00 | Live Music: Blackcurrant

Screenings

• 19:30 | Reflekt (India, 2025, Dir. Santosh Manik, 11min, NR G) Chronicles a filmmaking residency at the Auroville Film Institute. Produced by Auroville Film Institute.
• 19:41 | Where’s Masi? (India, 2025, Dir. Uttara Jadeja, 10min, NR PG-13) A homemade horror film about a young woman racing to save her friend from a sinister entity.
• 19:50 | The Strange Case Of The Human Cannonball (Ecuador, 2024, Dir. Roberto Valencia, 10min, NR R) A mysterious man is found lying in the square of a village inhabited by only six residents.
• 20:01 | Films Created In The Kino Kabaret (Auroville, 2026, Multiple Directors, 120min, NR G) All films were created within 48 hours on the 23rd and 24th of January 2026. The short films have in common one prop, one sound effect and one line of dialogue.

This is an award that celebrates the photographer’s existing work, and not a proposal or future plan.

Who Can Apply?
Open to Indian citizens, who reside in India.

No age limit for applicants.

This award is NOT limited to any genre. Photographic vision is key. We are seeking varied ways of seeing, regardless of genre.

Composites, adding/deleting/cloning elements and AI-generated visuals are not eligible. Post-production must be limited to moderate adjustments that reflect conventional darkroom practices (like contrast, colour correction, dodging and burning).

Please note, you ARE eligible to apply, even if your work has won any other grant or award.

https://www.kishorparekhphotographytrust.com/

Synopsis:
Step into the fascinating world of Lavani — a bold, beautiful, and deeply misunderstood art form rooted in matriarchal traditions.
In this interactive session, writer-researcher Bhushan Korgaonkar takes you into the lives of Lavani women — artists who “marry their ghungroos” and live by rhythms that defy easy categorization. Are these practices empowering or exploitative? What lies between performance and personal freedom?
Through rare anecdotes, stories, and songs, Bhushan unravels the creative and social worlds of Lavani — from the making of a song to the dynamics of performance. You’ll discover what a Baithakichi Lavani truly is, how women collaborate in this form, and the complex reality that exists beyond glamour and judgment.
Join us for an hour-long journey through stories, songs, and reflections — followed by a 30-minute Q&A with the audience. Discover Lavani as you’ve never seen it before.

About the speaker:
Bhushan Korgaonkar is a multilingual writer, theatre director, lyricist and translator. He has been engaging with Lavani artists since 2002, which led him to write his award-winning book ‘Sangeet Bari’ in 2014. Based on this book, he created the much-acclaimed shows ‘Sangeet Bari’, ‘Lavani Ke Rang’, ‘Love & Lavani’ and also curated and directed many other shows through his company B Spot Productions. He has written Lavani and other songs for music videos produced by ‘Agents of Ishq’. Bhushan also writes fiction that primarily deals with sexuality and crime. His erotic stories on the ‘Storytel’ app are widely popular, as are his periodic features in ‘Loksatta’ and ‘Mint Lounge’ chronicling his relationship with unique cuisines. He has also translated Shahu Patole’s Marathi book ‘Dalit Kitchens of Marathwada’ by Harper Collins.
In this session:
Dive into the unknown world of matriarchal communities of Sangeet Bari with an Audio Visual presentation including clips of live private performances and shows
Understand basics of the form, brief history and current status
Analyse lyrics and understand the raw expression.

Synopsis:
Step into the fascinating world of Lavani — a bold, beautiful, and deeply misunderstood art form rooted in matriarchal traditions.
In this interactive session, writer-researcher Bhushan Korgaonkar takes you into the lives of Lavani women — artists who “marry their ghungroos” and live by rhythms that defy easy categorization. Are these practices empowering or exploitative? What lies between performance and personal freedom?
Through rare anecdotes, stories, and songs, Bhushan unravels the creative and social worlds of Lavani — from the making of a song to the dynamics of performance. You’ll discover what a Baithakichi Lavani truly is, how women collaborate in this form, and the complex reality that exists beyond glamour and judgment.
Join us for an hour-long journey through stories, songs, and reflections — followed by a 30-minute Q&A with the audience. Discover Lavani as you’ve never seen it before.

About the speaker:
Bhushan Korgaonkar is a multilingual writer, theatre director, lyricist and translator. He has been engaging with Lavani artists since 2002, which led him to write his award-winning book ‘Sangeet Bari’ in 2014. Based on this book, he created the much-acclaimed shows ‘Sangeet Bari’, ‘Lavani Ke Rang’, ‘Love & Lavani’ and also curated and directed many other shows through his company B Spot Productions. He has written Lavani and other songs for music videos produced by ‘Agents of Ishq’. Bhushan also writes fiction that primarily deals with sexuality and crime. His erotic stories on the ‘Storytel’ app are widely popular, as are his periodic features in ‘Loksatta’ and ‘Mint Lounge’ chronicling his relationship with unique cuisines. He has also translated Shahu Patole’s Marathi book ‘Dalit Kitchens of Marathwada’ by Harper Collins.
In this session:
Dive into the unknown world of matriarchal communities of Sangeet Bari with an Audio Visual presentation including clips of live private performances and shows
Understand basics of the form, brief history and current status
Analyse lyrics and understand the raw expression.

Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships (2025–26)

To Outstanding Persons in the Fields of Culture

The CCRT, Ministry of Culture, invites offline applications for the Senior and Junior Fellowships for the year 2025–26.
These fellowships support research-oriented projects in the fields of:

• Performing Arts

• Literary Arts

• Plastic Arts

• New cultural areas

Key Dates

• Applications Open: 18th October 2025

• Last Date to Apply: 1st December 2025

Details

• Number of Fellowships: 200 each (Junior & Senior)

• Mode of Application: Offline only

• Submission: By post or by hand to CCRT, New Delhi

• More Information & Forms:
  www.indiaculture.gov.in
  www.ccrtindia.gov.in

The night doesn’t end with the credits -stick
around for an exclusive post-screening discussion
with the cast and crew,all while soaking in the
cozy Catamaran vibes,craft brews,and great
company.
Saturday,18th Oct
Screening starts at 6:00 PM
Discussion at 7:00
PM
Catamaran Brewing Co.,Pondicherry

New to the fest or bringing a fllm-loving friend?
Make sure to RSVP through the Google Form link
and save your spot!
https://forms.gle/jWszGWvMzZhoFo2Y7

http://www.cjicb.com/News20250901-en.html

Submission

（1）No submission fee.

（2） Enter the submission link, click “Activities Details,” download The Future of Ceramics: 2026 Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale Registration Form and fill in the relevant information.

Submission Links by Category:

Vessels：https://artexpress.artron.net/young/awardsActivitiesDetails/1343

Sculptures：https://artexpress.artron.net/young/awardsActivitiesDetails/1342

Installations： https://artexpress.artron.net/young/awardsActivitiesDetails/1341

Paintings： https://artexpress.artron.net/young/awardsActivitiesDetails/1340

Videos： https://artexpress.artron.net/young/awardsActivitiesDetails/1339

About the event

An evening of Indian classical music featuring three artists from the Misra family:

• Debdeep Misra (Vocal)
  Grandson of Pandit Bishnu Sewak Misra of the Benaras Gharana. Trained under Pandit Tushar Dutta and Pandit Aniruddha Bhattacharya. Awarded with Giridhari Ratna Samman, Pt. Trambakrao Janorikar Gayan Award, Sangeet Kanaka Mani, Sangeet Pratibha Samman, Kala Aparanji Award and more. A gold medalist in physics.

• Banani Misra Sanyal (Vocal)
  Daughter-in-law of Pandit Bishnu Sewak Misra. A disciple of Padma Vibhushan Vidushi Girija Devi, Pt. A.T. Kanan and Pandit Bishnu Sewak Misra. She is an All India Radio artist since 1990.

• Debasis Misra (Tabla & Sitar)
  Son of Pandit Bishnu Sewak Misra. Learnt tabla and sitar from his father and Pandit Mani Lal Nag. Has performed widely and continues his musical journey after retiring from government service in 2023.

Contact

33, Francois Martin Street, Kuruchikuppam, Pondicherry – 605001
0413 2222795 / 2222449
manager@aurodhan.com
www.aurodhan.com

Andrei Tarkovsky: A Cinema Prayer

We are honored to present a special screening of the documentary Andrei Tarkovsky: A Cinema Prayer on September 19, 2025.

• Venue: Auroville
• Time: 7:30 PM

The film won the Venezia Classici Award for Best Documentary on Cinema at the Venice Film Festival.

The film’s director, Andrei A. Tarkovsky (son of the legendary filmmaker), will be present for a talk and discussion after the screening.

This event is organized in collaboration with the Andrei Tarkovsky International Institute.

Bookings Starts From August
Venue: Conscious Spaces, Dlagou Mudaliar St, Puducherry

Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Tanjore painting and learn from an expert with years of teaching experience. Whether you’re an art lover, a beginner, or a seasoned artist, this is your chance to experience the beauty of culture beyond religion and boundaries.

Limited seats!

For registrations:
Fill the form here: https://forms.gle/gZcmATh8XqH7et7j7
Call: ‪+91 90871 28585‬
Email: info.consciousspaces@gmail.com

Dates: August 8, 9, & 10, 2025 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

Venue: Alliance Française de Pondichéry 58, Suffren Street, Puducherry – 605001

Organized by:

• Alliance Française Pondichéry
• Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association
• Puducherry Film Forum

Chief Guest: The festival will be inaugurated by A. Sreekar Prasad, a renowned Indian film editor who has edited over 600 films and won nine National Film Awards.

Full Screening Schedule

Friday, August 8

• 5:30 PM: Festival Inauguration by A. Sreekar Prasad
• 7:00 PM: Film Screening: Tori and Lokita (French/Belgium, 2022, 88 min)

Saturday, August 9

• 9:15 AM: Film Screening: Afternoons of Solitude (Spain, 2024, 125 min)
• 11:30 AM: Tea Break
• 12:00 PM: Master Class: “The Future of Cinema” by Editor Sreekar Prasad in conversation with Mr. Sivakumar Mohanan
• 1:00 PM: Lunch Break
• 2:30 PM: Film Screening: Living (UK, 2022, 102 min)
• 4:15 PM: Tea Break
• 4:45 PM: Film Screening: My Favourite Cake (Iran, 2024, 96 min)
• 6:45 PM: Film Screening: Manithargal (Tamil, 2025, 106 min)
  • This will be followed by a Q&A session with the Manithargal team.

Sunday, August 10

• 9:00 AM: Feedback on the previous day’s programme
• 9:30 AM: Film Screening: The Delinquents (Argentina, 2023, 190 min)
• 1:00 PM: Lunch Break
• 2:15 PM: Film Screening: A Complete Unknown (USA, 2024, 141 min)
• 4:45 PM: Tea Break
• 5:00 PM: Closing Ceremony
• 6:00 PM: Film Screening: Sister Midnight (Hindi/UK, 2025, 110 min)

Contact for more information: 94861 02777 | 8489389511 | 95853 12993 | 86108 07710

All are welcome.

Maheen Zia & Miriam Chandy Menacherry’s – Layari Notes
Thursday, 31 July 2025
8:00 PM
MMC Auditorium, Auroville

Director’s Statement:

Layari Notes was one of the 16 projects selected for the IDF Academy Summer School 2013. This marked the first time Maheen and Miriam met in person in Amsterdam, despite working remotely for a long time—across borders, internet, and technology—on the film’s concept.

The film explores how music can transcend borders, fostering new dialogue amid political and cultural hostility.

• Maheen shot in Karachi (Pakistan)

• Miriam edited rushes in Mumbai (India)

The project was crowdfunded by over 100 supporters who resonated with the filmmakers’ vision of music as resistance.
It premiered at the International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA) and was nominated for the Alliance of Women in Film Journalism Award.

Both directors were also selected for the inaugural Global Media Makers Fellowship (USA State Department & Film Independent).

• Maheen is a Berlinale Talent

• Miriam is a BAFTA Breakthrough Talent

Dates: July 18, 19, 20, 2025
Venue: Aurodhan Art Gallery & Gardens, Pondicherry
Curated by: Lalit Verma
Organized by: Aurodhan Pondicherry
Contact:
33, Francois Martin Street, Kuruchikuppam, Pondicherry 605 001
+91 413 2222795 / 2222449
www.aurodhan.com
aurodhan1@gmail.com

DAY 1 – July 18: Awakening the Inner Inventor

• 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM – Cellular Healing Meditation by Nilima Bhat
• 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM – An Alok Pandey on Original Thinking
• 10:45 AM – 11:00 AM – Naveen Vasudevan on Dharmagraha
• 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM – Reinvent Yourself | Collective Conflict Resolution with Ananya Anurupa
• 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM – Lunch Break
• 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM – Vibha Shah – Inner Resonance (Sound)
• 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM – Arul Dev – Memory Transformation
• 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM – Embodying Dhrupad – Pandita Sunita Amin
• 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM – Tea Break
• 4:45 PM – Book Launch – HAMPI: Sacred India Glorious India
  By Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat & Vasundhara Kavali-Filliozat
  Photography by Roshane Saidnattar
• 5:00 PM – Panel Discussion
  Featuring: Roshane Saidnattar, Beloo Mehra, Samir Sarkar
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Anant Churuta – Dhrupad by Pandita Sunita Amin
• 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Kalpanatit – Dhrupad Concert by Dr. Ritwik Sanyal
  (Padma Shri awardee), with Abhijit Sarkar on Pakhawaj
  In collaboration with Vishva Dhrupad Gurukul, Jaipur

DAY 2 – July 19: INDO-FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL

Theme: Crossing Boundaries – Cinema & Consciousness
Curated by: Lalit Verma

• 9:00 AM – Cellular Healing Meditation by Nilima Bhat
• 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM – FILM SCREENINGS (Presented by Roshane Saidnattar, France):
  • Les larmes des étoiles khmères
  • Facts and Denials – 16 min
  • Red Moon – 15 min
  • Q&A with Roshane

Special Presentation by:

• Samir Sarkar (Magic Hours)
  • Schirkoa, No Ground Beneath the Feet, Paka (The River of Blood), The False Eyes, Jonaki
  • Q&A
• 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM – Lunch Break

Afternoon Film Screenings – In the presence of the producers:

• Serge Moëtie, France – Mes questions sur Pondichéry – 40 min
• Chandrakant Singh, India – Parchayayaan – 35 min
• Lalit Kala Akademi, India – Three Short Films on Artists – 40 min
• Lalit Verma – Poorna Maha Kumbh 2025 – 21 min
  Q&A with Lalit Verma

Evening Event:

• 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM – Venue: Krtashraya Aurodhan Gardens
  • Philippe Gauthier & Prajna Chouma (France) – Breath Blues
• 8:30 PM Onwards – Pop-up Dinner at Krtashraya Aurodhan Garden

DAY 3 – July 20: Wisdom, Past, Present towards Original Future

• 9:00 AM – Cellular Healing Meditation at Aurodhan Art Gallery with Nilima Bhat
• 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Talks & Presentations by Inventors at Krtashraya Aurodhan Garden:
  • Dr. Rengaraj Venkatesh (Aravind Eye Hospital)
  • Mr. Raji Moulavi (CEO, IIT Madras Research Park)
  • Mannaneethan Rajupillai (Chairman, Original India Collective)
  • Prof. M.S. Ramachandra Rao (IIT Madras)
  • Dr. Murugavel (Inventor of C-Salt, East Coast Renewable)
  • Dr. Raji Moulavi (Co-founder of Edhina)
  • Dr. Arun Prasad (Pondicherry University)
  • Followed by Panel Discussion with Toine (Sustainability & Dual Invention)
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch Break
• 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM – Startups & Inventors from IIT Madras
  • Investors & Innovators meet
  • Talk by Yves Dorne (Former CEO Laurent Perrier) – Governance of Innovation
  • Panel Discussion moderated by Toine
• Closing Remarks

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Film Screening: Poorna Maha Kumbh
  By Lalit Verma
  (Screened at Cannes Film Festival & across Asia & Europe)
  20th July 2025, 3:00 PM
  Krtashraya Aurodhan Garden, Pondicherry

Sponsors & Partners

IITM Incubation Cell | Bharat Shakti | Magic Hour | Shakti Leadership | Conscious Spaces | CGH Earth | Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IITM) | Kalakshetra Foundation

QR Code available for Donations
For inquiries, participation, and contributions, please contact:
aurodhan1@gmail.com | +91 413 2222795 / 2222449
www.aurodhan.com

On Monday, 5 May 2025 @ 8 pm @ MMC Auditorium, Auroville

A Pre-Premiere Screening
of a film in an Indian language w/ English subtitles

Which Film? – Come n Find

India, 2025, 88 mins, Romantic-Drama w/ English subtitles, Rated NR (best to assume PG-13 / R)

This film, scheduled to premiere in June 2025, from an award-winning director, is being offered as a “pre-screening” that is typically meant for viewing and discussing with a discerning audience before the film premiers. For this reason, we are unable to share any further details about the film.

A brief Q&A with the director and lead actor will follow the screening

The screening of this film has been made possible by the director and the entire film team. Since this is a pre-premiere screening, we cannot say much about the film but, judging by the director’s previous films, this promises to be reflective and excellent!

DO NOT miss this rare occasion
where you get to watch and reflect on a film before anyone else!

“Femininity and Corporeality” through
French philosophical thought

Su. 27 April at 7 pm
AF Pondichéry
58, Suffren Street, Pondichéry 1

“Femininity and Corporeality” through
French philosophical thought

Tu. 29 April at 5 pm
Cinema Paradiso
Matrimandir Rd, Auroville

“Horror and Avenging Women in Bollywood”
(via Kristeva and Beauvoir)

We. 30 April at 7 pm
AF Pondichéry
58, Suffren Street, Pondichéry 1

Dr. Sonali Pattnaik
She is an award-winning feminist poet, author, researcher, and visual artist. With over 20 years of teaching experience, she has published widely in both literary and academic circles. Her poetry collection *When the Flowers Begin to Speak* has been praised as a landmark in feminist writing. She is currently working on her debut novel and a book on cinema.

—
Alliance Française Pondichéry  Pavillon de France et de la Francophonie

Facilitated by Tripura Kashyap (Movement Therapist, Dance Educator, Choreographer)

This workshop introduces the practice and theory of Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), pioneered in India by Tripura Kashyap. Through movement activities, bites of theory and interactive discussions, participants will explore DMT as an inclusive and non-judgmental discipline that adapts to diverse body types, personalities, and abilities.

Participants will engage in expressive movement exercises to reflect on emotions, enhance well-being, and experience personal growth.

Who Can Join?
Suitable for mental health professionals, counselors, therapists, educators, artists, performers, and individuals seeking stress relief, emotional well-being, and self-awareness through creative movement. No prior dance training is required.

About the Facilitator
Tripura Kashyap is a pioneer of Dance Movement Therapy in India, trained at the Hancock Centre, USA. She holds an M.A. in Psychology, has a background in Bharatanatyam, and co-founded the Creative Movement Therapy Association of India. A celebrated author and educator, she has received multiple fellowships and awards for her contributions to dance therapy.

To Register:
WhatsApp Nikki at +91 7094716136 or email nikethana2001@gmail.com