The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF)—North America’s longest-running festival dedicated to Indian independent cinema—has announced the full lineup and official nominations for its 2026 edition.
This year’s nominations are led by Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox), Flowers of Acacia, Romantic Affairs, Ha Lyngkha Bneng (The Elysian Field), and Victoria, which dominate the Best Film race - highlighting a strong showing from regional cinema across Bengali, Punjabi, Assamese, Khasi, and Malayalam industries.
“This year’s nominated films represent the range and depth of storytelling in India today,” said Festival Director Aseem Chhabra. “From human dramas to comedies, and narratives that reflect the angst of Millennials and Gen Z, these works reflect a cinema that is both rooted and globally resonant.”
The festival will also present Farhan Akhtar’s classic Dil Chahta Hai (2001), marking the film’s 25th anniversary and revisiting one of Hindi cinema’s most influential coming-of-age films.
Suman Gollamudi, Executive Director of IAAC, added, “NYIFF continues to serve as a critical launchpad for independent filmmakers on the global stage and remains committed to amplifying distinctive voices across Indian cinema.”
Presented by the Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC), NYIFF 2026 continues its dual mission of championing emerging voices while honoring cinematic excellence, reinforcing its position as a key global platform for Indian independent cinema.
This year’s program includes 19 narrative (features), four documentaries (features) and 27 shorts (narratives and documentaries) including several world premieres, and a special LGBTQ shorts program. The lineup spotlighs a diverse slate of films across 15 languages and underscoring the growing dominance of regional storytelling in contemporary Indian cinema.
Dr. Nirmal Mattoo, Chairman of IAAC, said NYIFF stands as a "powerful cultural bridge" and the 2026 lineup and nominations "reaffirm our commitment to showcasing the richness, diversity, and artistic excellence of Indian cinema on an international stage.”
Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi’s BAFTA-winning Manipuri drama Boong will open NYIFF, with Jeejivisha Kale’s acclaimed Marathi feature Tighee set to close the festival. Previously announced highlights include a 4K restoration of the cult classic Sholay, while Punjabi film Flowers of Acacia will serve as the centerpiece.
2026 Award Nominations
Best Film
Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox)
Flowers of Acacia
Romantic Affairs
Ha Lyngkha Bneng (The Elysian Field)
Victoria
Best Debut Film
Aakuti (Longing)
Batt Koch
Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox)
Boong
Early Days
How to Not Have Sex
Tighee (Motherhood)
Victoria
Vimukt (In Search of the Sky)
Best Director
Lakshmipriya Devi (Boong)
Senna Hegde (Avihitham)
Ranjan Ghosh (Adamya)
Anmol Sidhu (Flowers of Acacia)
Pradip Kurbah (The Elysian Field)
Best Screenplay
Anshulika Dubey (How To Not Have Sex)
Anusha Rizvi (The Great Shamsuddin Family)
Nikhil Mahajan & Prajakt Deshmukh (Tighee)
Priyankar Patra (Early Days)
Tannishtha Chatterjee (Full Plate)
Best Actor
Aryuun Ghosh (Adamya)
Chandan Bisht (Baksho Bondi)
M.K. Raina (Batt Koch)
Nikhil Yadav (Vimukt)
Sanat Chattopadhyay (Maya Satya Bhram)
Best Actress
Bharti Achrekar (Tighee)
Kasvi Sonkorison (Romantic Affairs)
Meenakshi Jayan (Victoria)
Revethy Asha (Aasmani)
Tillotama Shome (Baksho Bondi)
Best Child Actor
Daria Bedi (Aasmani)
Gugun Kipgen (Boong)
Kavisha Mahanta (Aakuti)
Sayan Karmakar (Baksho Bondi)
Best Documentary (Feature)
Breaking the Code
Déjà Vu
Marriage Cops
I, Poppy
Best Short (Narrative)
Aasmani
Aashirwad (Blessings)
Tumhari Bari Jo! (Jo’s Turn)
Razaa
Room at the Farm
Best Documentary (Short)
Ruptured Lines
The Last Resort
This Tree Won’t Fall
Waai
