Indie Film Festival Awards kicks off four-day festival with high profile opening ceremony

PHOTO TOP: High profile guests invited to the IFFA opening ceremony included India’s Consul General in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media, India’s Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Ramdas Athawale, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Prasar Bharati Chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal;. Seen on right is Founder and host of IFFA Mukesh Modi. PHOTO ABOVE, Ribbon cutting ceremony where NY City Mayor Eric Adams also participated. ALL PHOTOS: X @IndiainNewYork

The Indie Film Festival Awards, IFFA, a non-profit organization, held its opening ceremony June 2, at Quad Cinema in Manhattan, to launch its first 4-day festival of independent films ranging from features to shorts.

The Festival was inaugurated by India’s Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Ramdas Athawale, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Prasar Bharati Chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal, Consul General of India in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, and Founder of IFFA Mukesh Modi. Another guest of honor was actor and producer Jeff Wallner.

The event was emceed by ITV Gold host Jyoti Kachroo.

Modi, a recipient of the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Foundation Award, described the Festival as an international celebration dedicated to independent filmmakers. IFFA aims at recognizing, empowering, and promoting the creative excellence of indie filmmakers from across the globe.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony jump-started the event.

Speakers at the opening ceremony of IFFA event June 2, 2025. From left, India’s Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Ramdas Athawale, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Prasar Bharati Chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal, Consul General of India in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan. PHOTO: X @IndiainNewYork

Speakers praised the efforts made to establish IFFA, and the choice of films and shorts that distinguish this festival from others.

The festival received 115 submissions from over 20 countries, with more than 50 films selected for theatrical screenings. “Behind the scenes, our diverse team of industry professionals, film enthusiasts, and creative minds unite to curate an unforgettable film festival experience,” the website of IFFA says.

“Our goal is to give indie filmmakers a platform to shine,” says Modi. “IFFA is here to make sure their voices are heard, their films are seen, and their efforts are celebrated with pride.”

A section of the audience at the June 2, Indie International Film Festival Awards opening ceremony. PHOTO: X @IndianinNewYork

The festival team includes Founder and Director Mukesh Modi, Vice President Sudha Deora, Secretary Yash Modi, Programming Director Ivan Rana, and Festival Manager Manish Sinha.

The ‘Honoree’ list includes psychiatrist and entrepreneur Dr. Deepak Nandi,;President and CEO of Navika Capital Group Naveen Shah; Chairman & CEO of EC Infosystem Gala, Co-Chair, Mohan Wanchoo; and Media, Entertainment & Marketing entrepreneur Sunil Hali.

The films being screened from June 2-5, 2025, include full-length movies and shorts. Among them is feature film Torn, and shorts like Sapne Jinke Hogaye Apne, Dear Pra, Lady Like, Animus Revised, Breaking and Entering and Humping, Rebecoming Me Falling Through Foster Care, Cold Water, and numerous others of varying lengths.