LOS ANGELES (Diya TV) – The 22nd Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) revealed the winners of its annual jury and audience awards. The announcement was made June 30th during the gala Closing Night ceremony.
“This year’s edition of IFFLA marked an exciting moment of growth for us, with new locations in the heart of Los Angeles, while continuing to serve as a key hub for South Asian filmmakers to gather and celebrate the powerful storytelling and achievements of this vibrant community,” said IFFLA Executive Director Christina Marouda.
The prestigious Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film was awarded to Girls Will Be Girls, directed by Shuchi Talati. The jury praised the film for its nuanced portrayal of coming-of-age themes and its elegant storytelling. Dear Jassi, directed by Tarsem Singh, received an Honorable Mention for its impactful narrative on societal issues.
Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa, directed by Lucy Walker, won the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film, while HEMA by Ritvik Dhavale took the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film.
The Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film went to Last Days of Summer, directed by Stenzin Tankong. The jury highlighted the film’s poignant storytelling and beautiful cinematography. An Honorable Mention was given to Yuki Ellias’s Lovely & Tip Top.
In a new addition to the festival, the IFFLA Industry Day pitch competition saw Shuchi Dwivedi’s Friends and Fascism win the top prize of $10,000, with an Honorable Mention awarded to Sejal Pachisia’s Empathico.
IFFLA 2024 showcased a diverse lineup of 21 films, including narrative features, shorts, and documentaries from South Asia and its diaspora.
The festival, sponsored in part by Diya TV, continues to be a key platform for South Asian filmmakers to present their work and engage with audiences.
Award Recap:
- Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film: Girls Will Be Girls by Shuchi Talati
- Feature Jury Honorable Mention: Dear Jassi by Tarsem Singh
- Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film: Last Days of Summer by Stenzin Tankong
- Short Film Jury Honorable Mention: Lovely & Tip Top by Yuki Ellias
- Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film: Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa by Lucy Walker
- Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film: HEMA by Ritvik Dhavale
- Pitch Competition Winner: Shuchi Dwivedi for Friends and Fascism
- Pitch Competition Honorable Mention: Sejal Pachisia for Empathico