By Soumoshree Mukherjee
The 14th Annual DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF) closed this week to packed houses, critical praise, and a renewed sense of cultural connection. Running Sept. 5-7 at Regal Rockville Center in Maryland, with online screenings continuing through Sept. 30, the festival brought together audiences and filmmakers from across the globe for a hybrid celebration of South Asian cinema.
The three-day in-person festival opened with Aditya Kripalani’s “Main Actor Nahin Hoon” and concluded with “Pyre,” which went on to win Best Film. Both features received standing ovations and full houses, setting the tone for a vibrant weekend of screenings, masterclasses, and red-carpet glamour.
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This year’s edition featured 54 films from 12 countries in 14 languages, including 10 premieres and 12 documentaries. Remarkably, 15 films were directed by women, underscoring DCSAFF’s commitment to diverse and authentic storytelling. “DCSAFF is more than a festival, it’s a movement to center authentic, independent South Asian voices,” said Festival Director Manoj Singh.
The awards night reflected the breadth of talent on display. Shishir Sharma won Best Actor (Male) for his role in “Kuch Sapne Apne,” while Chitrangada Satarupa was named Best Actor (Female) for her role in “Main Actor Nahin Hoon.” Promita Bhowmik’s “A Light Within” earned Best Director, and other winners included “Loop Line” (Best Animated Short), “Blind Spot” (Best Short Film), and “An Unquiet Mind” (Best Documentary). Special jury mentions went to films like “Sarhadein” and “Voices of Change: Harij Weds Sajili.”
One of the most talked-about screenings was Sridhar Rangayan’s “Kuch Sapne Apne,” a sensitive family drama exploring queer relationships and generational conflicts. Co-written with Saagar Gupta, the film follows Kartik and Aman’s strained romance alongside the struggles of Kartik’s parents. Sharma, who also walked the opening night red carpet, described the audience’s warm response as a moment of validation for inclusive narratives.
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Rangayan, along with Sharma, also led a masterclass titled “Script to Screen,” guiding attendees through the challenges of independent filmmaking in India. Other highlights included a tribute to legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, with a special 4K restored screening of his classic “Manthan.”
Audiences praised the venue for its convenience and atmosphere, with many noting how the festival created a welcoming space for cultural exchange. With its mix of in-person and virtual programming, DCSAFF 2025 ensured that cinephiles worldwide could access bold South Asian cinema.
As Singh noted, “We’re thrilled to welcome our audiences for in person and online screenings, and to present a line up that’s as powerful as it is diverse.”
With its success this year, DCSAFF continues to cement its place as one of the most significant cultural showcases for South Asian cinema in North America and a key platform for bold storytelling and cross-cultural connection through film.