Full Breakdown
Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles: Industry Days Forum Highlights
4/7/2026, 11:42:20 AM
Overview of the Event
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) has announced its third annual Industry Days forum, scheduled for April 24-25, 2026, at Landmark Sunset Hollywood. This two-day event aims to connect South Asian film and television creatives with Hollywood executives and companies, fostering collaboration and opportunities for storytelling.
Key Participants and Initiatives
This year's forum will feature representatives from major industry players such as Netflix, HBO, NBC, and the Sundance Institute, among others. Megha Kadakia, the Industry Days producer, emphasized the importance of showcasing the depth of storytelling from South Asian and diasporic creatives, stating that the forum is designed to facilitate connections that allow these stories to reach broader audiences.
A significant component of the forum is IFFLA Connect, which curates a selection of South Asian film and television projects and pairs them with Hollywood executives for development support. The six projects highlighted this year include:
- “The Lie” by Keshni Kashyap
- “Mayapuri” by Aranya Sahay
- “Nisa” produced by Ambarien Alqadar
- “The Reagan Doctrine” produced by Abhish Raghavan
- “Remember Ivy Court” by Soham Mehta
- “Saund vs Cochran” by Mridu Chandra
Additionally, the Launchpad Pitch Competition will feature six finalists presenting their in-development projects to industry experts, with one project receiving a $10,000 development grant.
Mentorship and Educational Opportunities
The forum will also provide mentorship through a panel of industry veterans, including Tanuj Chopra, Agam Darshi, and Shruti Ganguly, who will guide participants in navigating the complexities of the film industry. The One-on-One Program, a longstanding feature of the forum, allows filmmakers to engage directly with studio and production executives in brief meetings.
Three panel discussions will cover various topics, including the potential for South Asian intellectual property in animation and gaming, and the current landscape of independent film distribution. A masterclass presented by South Stack Studios will focus on how filmmakers can effectively communicate their creative vision.
Festival Highlights and Changes
The 24th Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles will run from April 23-26, 2026. A notable change in the festival's programming is the selection of Ben Rekhi’s documentary “Breaking the Code” as the opening night film, following a shift in the release date of the previously announced opener “Patriot” by Mahesh Narayanan. “Breaking the Code” explores Rekhi's father's life journey from post-independence India to a career in Silicon Valley, highlighting themes of ambition and displacement.
Conclusion
The IFFLA Industry Days forum represents a significant opportunity for South Asian creatives to engage with Hollywood, fostering connections that could lead to broader representation and storytelling in the industry. As the festival approaches, the emphasis on mentorship, project development, and industry dialogue underscores the commitment to nurturing diverse voices in film and television.
