The vibrant colours, rhythmic beats, and emotive storytelling of Indian cinema are set to take over the Suncoast CineCentre during the Durban Indian Film Festival 2026, celebrating Indian Film beyond traditional boundaries.
Running from 26 to 28 March 2026, this three-day cinematic celebration aims to offer a curated selection of films that span multiple languages and genres, from high-octane action to socially conscious dramas, according to the Indian film industry.
Indian Film Festival Programme
The festival is offering a curated selection of films that span multiple languages and genres, including Bollywood and beyond, with the goal of stimulating “set-jetting”, a trend where fans travel to locations featured in their favourite films.
AB Moosa, CEO of the Avalon Group, reflected on a legacy that dates back nearly a century, noting that Indian cinema has evolved into a global powerhouse, with a universal appeal that transcends cultural boundaries, as seen in the high viewership of Bollywood content on the SABC among Black South Africans.
New Waves of Indian Cinema
Nishera Naidoo, a film lecturer at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), emphasised the importance of recognising the “new waves” of filmmaking currently emerging from the subcontinent, which include multiple languages, multiple narratives, and new wave, first new wave, second new wave films.
The following are some of the key features of the Indian Film Festival programme:
- Filmmaking workshops
- Interactive sessions
- Competitions designed to inspire the next generation of local creators
Niteen Subhash Yeola, Consul General of India in Durban, said that the festival will be attended by prominent personalities from both the Indian and South African film industries, and will feature a range of activities designed to promote cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
