About IAAC
The IAAC supports all the artistic disciplines in classical, fusion, folk and innovative forms influenced by the arts of India. We work cooperatively with colleagues around the United States to broaden our collective audiences and to create a network for shared information, resources and funding. Our focus is to help artists and art organizations in North America as well as to facilitate artists from India to exhibit, perform and produce their work here. The IAAC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.
For further information, visit  www.IAAC.us

The 19thAnnual NYIFF’s features selections include (all with English subtitles):

About NYIFF

The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) is the oldest, most prestigious film festival screening premieres of feature, documentary and short films made from, of, and about the Indian subcontinent in the Independent, arthouse, alternate and diaspora genres. Seven days of screenings, post-screening discussions, industry panels, award ceremony, special events, nightly networking parties, red carpet galas, media attention and packed audiences build an awareness of Indian cinema, entertain & educate North Americans about the real India, and add to the amazing cultural diversity of New York City. For more information, please visit the website HERE.

About IAAC

The IAAC supports all the artistic disciplines in classical, fusion, folk and innovative forms influenced by the arts of India. We work cooperatively with colleagues around the United States to broaden our collective audiences and to create a network for shared information, resources and funding. Our focus is to help artists and art organizations in North America as well as to facilitate artists from India to exhibit, perform and produce their work here. The IAAC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

For further information, visit  www.iaac.us

(New York, NY - April 9, 2019) The annual New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) is excited to announce its showcase films for Opening Night, Centerpiece, and Closing Night. NYIFF, North America's longest-running, and most prestigious Indian Film Festival will be held on May 7th - 12that the Village East Cinemas in the Lower East Side of Manhattan (181-189 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003).

Festival Director Aseem Chhabra stated, 'We are proud to share a wonderful collection of new films from India. This selection of exceptional titles showcases the beauty, power and glory of film story telling at its best. Our audience will be excited by the protagonists and fall in love with their journeys.'

Chairman Dr. Nirmal Mattoo said, 'The 2019 NYIFF selection is the culmination of a global search process by our festival director and curators. We will present award winning releases. We will showcase for the first time, regional movies which present the depth and breadth of India. Original, fresh, transformative dramas will give the audience the deep immersive experiences that they seek. The audience will join us in giving critical acclaim and recognition to the artists who give us so much.'

Opening Night Film: SIR

Date: Tuesday, May 7th
Director: Rohena Gera
Cast: Tillotama Shome, Vivek Gomber, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Rahul Vohar, Ahmareen Anjum

Post Screening Q&A with Rohena Gera

Synopsis: A prosperous young Indian man falls in love with his servant, a widow with the dream of becoming a tailor. "Sir" is an award-winning film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival (Critics' Week).

Photos and press materials can be downloaded here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yckhxll3c24t5r0/AADMHfsECk03fVjTPZvL0xgda?dl=0

Centerpiece: PHOTOGRAPH

Date: Friday, May 10th
Director: Ritesh Batra
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra

Post Screening Q&A with Ritesh Batra

Synopsis: A struggling Mumbai street photographer pressured to marry by his grandmother convinces a shy stranger to pose as his fiancée during a family visit. Despite vast cultural differences, the pair develops a surprising connection that challenges their worldviews in a wistful and funny romance from Ritesh Batra (“The Lunchbox”). “Photograph” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was shown at the Berlinale as a Special Gala presentation.

Amazon Studios will release PHOTOGRAPH in select US theaters on May 17.

Photos and press materials can be downloaded here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/op5taqpdtz1jwbu/AACjCl7KceIUdauoefTHeT2ca?dl=0

Closing Night Film: The LAST COLOR

Date: Sunday, May 12th
Director: Vikas Khanna
Cast: Neena Gupta, Aqsa Siddiqui, Princy Sudhakaran, Rudrani Chettri, Aslam Sheikh

Post Screening Q&A with Vikas Khanna

Synopsis: Nine-year-old fearless tightrope walker and flower seller, Chhoti, savors her dream to save Rs. 300 ($ 4), so she can attend school. “The Last Color” traces Chhoti and her best friend Chintu’s daily struggles for survival on the streets of the ancient city of Banaras, India.  Chhoti befriends Noor, a white-clad widow who suffers a life of total abstinence and is disallowed from taking part in any festivities, especially Holi, the Indian festival of colors. Over time, Chhoti and Noor's friendship and uplifting spiritual bond breaks through the barriers of the social system. “The Last Color” is a story of promises kept and promises broken, a friendship that knows no bounds, and the freedom and victory of the human spirit.

Photos and press materials for Last Color can be downloaded here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kU35ZIknOmGvFucCVKl5EYTaHDhpL0FB

The festival's complete lineup will be revealed soon!
Tickets are available online and can be purchased on: https://www.iaac.us/nyiff2019/index.htm

About NYIFF

The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) is the oldest, most prestigious film festival screening premieres of feature, documentary and short films made from, of, and about the Indian subcontinent in the Independent, arthouse, alternate and diaspora genres. Seven days of screenings, post-screening discussions, industry panels, award ceremony, special events, nightly networking parties, red carpet galas, media attention and packed audiences build an awareness of Indian cinema, entertain & educate North Americans about the real India, and add to the amazing cultural diversity of New York City. For more information, please visit the website HERE.

About IAAC

The IAAC supports all the artistic disciplines in classical, fusion, folk and innovative forms influenced by the arts of India. We work cooperatively with colleagues around the United States to broaden our collective audiences and to create a network for shared information, resources and funding. Our focus is to help artists and art organizations in North America as well as to facilitate artists from India to exhibit, perform and produce their work here. The IAAC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

For further information, visit  www.iaac.us