The 3rd i Film Festival Celebrates Celluloid Cinematic Journeys Beyond Bollywood

New Voices of South Asian Filmmakers

The advent of fall brings with it the annual 3rd i Film Festival, a visual smorgasbord of fresh perspectives and brave, new voices by independent filmmakers from South Asia and the South Asian Diaspora, including stories from India, Sri Lanka, UK, Italy, and the USA. From witty comedies to nuanced dramas, and spanning the realms of sci-fi to real-life narratives, the 3rd i Film Festival is a vibrant showcase that celebrates the rich tapestry of stories. The festival is not just a cinematic event, it is a celluloid celebration highlighting the inspiring journeys, diverse cultures, and unique perspectives that define our cinema.

As the festival unfolds, audiences are invited to experience groundbreaking films that challenge conventions and provoke thought. Each screening provides a window into the complexities of identity, culture, and community, offering a platform for voices often underrepresented in mainstream media. Whether through laughter or tears, these films resonate with universal themes that connect us all.

Opening Night

A vibrant, fun, and romantic feature The Queen Of My Dreams (Canada/Pakistan, 2023)

Written and directed by 3rd i alumna Fawzia Mirza, it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival 2023, earning a spot on TIFF’s “Canada’s Top Ten.” The film evokes the colors and spirit of Bollywood musicals while delving into the complicated bonds between mothers and daughters; Queer grad student Azra finds herself on an inspired journey of discovery—from her conservative Muslim mother’s youth in Pakistan to her own coming-of-age in Canada.

Followed by a Q&A with director Fawzia Mirza.

Spotlight on Women’s Stories

Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light (France/India, 2024)

A Cannes Film Festival 2024 Grand Prix award winner. A hypnotic and meditative masterpiece not to be missed, this richly textured portrait of three women is subtly unconventional and even subversive in its approach to visual storytelling and ways of exploring gender, class, and religion.

Centerpiece Film

Dear Jassi (India, 2023)

By director Tarsem Singh, who is known for his visually stunning Hollywood films and music videos. Winner of the Toronto Film Festival 2023 Platform Prize, the feature weaves Punjabi Sufi folklore into a gripping tale based on a true event, creating a striking Romeo-and-Juliet story with a haunting, chilling finale.

Followed by a Q&A with actor Pavia Sidhu (Jassi).

Focus On Female Empowerment

Girls Will Be Girls (India/France 2024)

Shuchi Talati’s brilliant, nuanced narrative has garnered awards at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and SXSW Film Festival, among others. Set in a boarding school in the Himalayas, it explores the subtle complexities of a 16-year-old girl’s sexual awakening, budding romance with a 17-year-old boy, and an unwelcome emotional love triangle involving her mother.

A US Premiere

Now And Forever (India, 2023)

Writer-director Shalini Ushadevi’s unique and thought-provoking relationship drama with a sci-fi twist, a feature from South India. In an alternate dystopian present, a married couple in the state of Kerala experiments with immortality using an expensive implant, but things don’t turn out the way they expect. Q&A with director Shalini Ushadevi.

Voices from the Margins (documentaries)

Drawing A Line (Belgium/Luxembourg, 2024)

Sharp, satirical, and popular sociopolitical Indian cartoonist Rachita Taneja is the subject of Sama Pana’s film. An inspiring portrayal of how Rachita faces censorship and criminal prosecution with humor and honesty. Her witty cartoons challenge India’s deep-rooted myths and taboos about topics such as mental health, freedom of speech, and LGBTQIA+ rights.

In a focus on immigration, the festival pairs two films for an expansive view of the immigrant experience. Land Of Dreams (USA, 2024), directed by Ambarien Alqadar, makes its California premiere. Filmed over nearly a decade, it is an intimate portrait of a Sikh taxi driver from India chasing his dreams in America amid the challenges of being an immigrant. Shankey Srinivasan’s short film Dos Mujeres examines the US immigration system through the eyes of an Indian woman and a Mexican woman.

Followed by a Q&A with directors Ambarien Alqadar and Shankey Srinivasan.

Landmark Films & Cinematic Journeys

Cinematic visions of resistance and nationalism are the focus of a free live presentation, an engaging exploration of two landmark films: Lagaan and RRR . Set against the turbulent backdrop of colonial India, these Academy Award-nominated/winning films offer strikingly different takes on the fight for independence. Featuring video clips from key moments in both films, the discussion Two Paths, One Nation will offer fresh perspectives on two of Indian cinema’s most iconic works, presented by Robin Sukhadia (Fulbright Senior Research Award recipient).

Register for FREE tickets at thirdi.org . Q&A with Robin Sukhadia

The perennial favorite program, 3rd i Shorts: From Mumbai to the Mission , turns out an impressive array of international and local filmmakers. The kaleidoscope of cinematic offerings brings filmmakers into conversation together from South Asia to California and throughout the Diaspora. With genres that range from music videos to documentaries and from comedy to dramatic narratives, this year’s edition tackles stories of immigration, relationships, identity, and social justice.

Join in this cinematic journey that promises to inspire, entertain, and enlighten, showcasing the best of South Asian storytelling in all its forms.

Details

Oct 18-20
The Roxie Theater, San Francisco

Individual films are $12. Buy tickets online up to 30 minutes before showtime.

For more information about the festival, including expanded program, guest and ticketing information, please visit www.thirdi.org

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