Over 120 Indian Filmmakers Form New Collective To Support Indie Cinema

Over 120 Indian filmmakers and producers have come together to form the Independent Filmmakers Association of India (IFAI), a not-for-profit collective. The group aims to secure better theatrical access, stronger distribution channels, and higher visibility on streaming platforms for independent cinema.

The collective was officially announced at the Cannes Film Festival by actor-producer Anshuman Jha and filmmaker Devashish Makhija. Built as a democratic, member-driven body, the IFAI will work through specialized groups focusing on public policy, exhibition, distribution, mentorship, and audience development.

The push to organize was largely triggered by the theatrical challenges faced by director Kanu Behl’s film "Agra" in late 2025. Despite its premiere at Cannes in 2023 and strong critical backing, the film received limited showtimes and minimal support from theaters. For the community, this situation highlighted the deeper, structural failures confronting independent cinema in India.

“What started as a small WhatsApp conversation between a handful of filmmakers organically grew into a larger movement. We realized that independent films in India are surviving not because of the system, but often in spite of it. What we needed was a collective voice,” said the founding members in a statement.

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The IFAI brings together a broad cross-section of India’s art-house scene. The founding board spans a broad cross-section of India’s art-house landscape. Members include directors Aarti Kadav (“Cargo,” “Mrs.”), Alankrita Shrivastava (“Lipstick Under My Burkha,” “Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare”), Anshuman Jha (“Lord Curzon Ki Haveli,” “Lakadbaggha”), Bauddhayan Mukherji (“The Violin Player,” “Manikbabur Megh”), Devashish Makhija (“Joram”), Harsh Agarwal (“Nasir,” “Rapture”), Honey Trehan (“A Death in the Gunj,” “Punjab ’95”), Behl (“Titli,” “Agra”), Parth Saurabh (“Pokhar Ke Dunu Paar”), Ruchi Narain (“Kal,” “Hanuman Da Damdaar”) and Sudhanshu Saria (“Loev,” “Ulajh”), among others. The wider membership also includes Nandita Das and Abhay Deol.

Alongside its policy and distribution efforts, the association plans to run workshops, mentorship programs, and community initiatives to support emerging talent.

“Independent cinema is where new voices, new forms, and uncomfortable truths emerge first,” said Behl. “We need to nurture and protect that space, for the next generation of cinematic experimentation and expression.”

Alongside its advocacy work, IFAI plans to run workshops, mentorship programs, and community initiatives for emerging talent. The body is open to directors and producers at all career stages.

“The idea is to create an ecosystem where independent filmmakers don’t feel isolated while making deeply personal cinema,” said Jha. “Beyond creating films, we hope to share resources, knowledge, collective experience around marketing, distribution and audience-building — because independent cinema in India can only grow stronger if filmmakers grow together.”

“I feel the space for the independent-spirited, alternative film is shrinking. And that bothers me,” said Shrivastava. “I feel, as a society, we need to have a vibrant cinema culture with all kinds of films. Diverse and alternate films need to have space to thrive. I’m excited to be part of a collective where filmmakers are coming together to find ways to help nurture a space and a system for these vital films.”