(New York, NY - March 12,2020) The longest-running, most prestigious New York Indian Film Festival in North America (NYIFF), will be postponed to a later date this year. The Indo-American Arts Council which runs the festival regrets to announce that, based on the guidance they have received and given the current concerns related to COVID-19, they have decided to postpone the festival.

Announcing this on Thursday IAAC vice chairman Rakesh Kaul said, "As the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is having an increasing impact in the United States, our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by the virus. Because this is a rapidly-evolving situation, we felt it important to assess the risk to the health and well-being of our guests from India and elsewhere, and the audience at the upcoming New York Indian Film Festival."

Festival Director Aseem Chhabra said, "We value the many submissions made by the filmmakers and thank them for supporting and being a part of the film festival. All the filmmakers are being notified. At this point, we have not confirmed the new dates."

IAAC would like to thank the staff, volunteers and participants who have been working to make the event a success. The festival team also thanks the audience members for their support and looks forward to hosting the event with all its glory in it's 20th year soon.

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 India 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 Indo-American Arts Council is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit, secular service and resource arts organization, passionately dedicated to showcasing, promoting and building an awareness of Indian performing, visual and literary arts. For more information, please visit the website HERE.