More than 120 Indian filmmakers and producers have come together to form the Independent Film Producers Association. A non-profit organization dedicated to increasing theatrical access, distribution channels, and streaming visibility for India’s independent sector.
IFAI made its official public debut at the Cannes Film Festival, with actor and producer Anshuman Jha and filmmaker Devasish Makhija representing the organization at the announcement. Founded as a democratic, member-driven organization, IFAI works through specialized groups that address advocacy, exhibition, distribution, public policy, leadership, and audience development.
The formation was partly prompted by the theatrical battle over director Kanu Behl’s Agra in late 2025. The film premiered at Cannes in 2023. Despite strong critical support, the allotted screening time was limited and exhibition support was minimal. This situation has come to be seen by producers as emblematic of broader structural flaws facing Indian independent cinema.
“What started as a small WhatsApp conversation between a few filmmakers has organically grown into a larger movement,” the founding members said in a joint statement. “We realized that Indian independent cinema often survives in spite of the system, not because of it. What we needed was a collective voice.”
The founding committee has extensive coverage of the Indian art house landscape. The members include director Aarti Kadav (‘Cargo’, ‘Mrs. director Anshuman Jha (‘Lord Curzon Ki Haveli’, ‘Lakadbagha’) and director Bawdayan Mukherji (‘The Violinist’, ‘Manikbabul’). Devasish Makhija (Joram), Harsh Agarwal (Naseer, Rapture), Honey Trehan (A Death in the Gunj’, ‘Punjab ’95’), Beer (‘Titli’, ‘Agra’), Parth Saurabh (‘Pokhar Ke Dhunu Paar’), Ruchi Narain (‘Kal’, ‘Hanuman Da’ Damdar’) and Sudhanshu Saria (‘Roev’, ‘Uraj’). The wider membership also includes Nandita Das and Abhay Deol.
“Independent film is where new voices, new formats, and uncomfortable truths first emerge,” says Bale. “We need to nurture and protect that space for the next generation of cinematic experimentation and expression.”
Alongside its advocacy work, IFAI plans to conduct workshops, mentorship programs and community initiatives for emerging talent. The organization is open to directors and producers at all career stages.
“The idea is to create an ecosystem where independent filmmakers can make very personal films without feeling isolated,” Jha said. “We want to not only produce films, but also share resources, knowledge and collective experience in marketing, distribution and audience building. Because Indian independent cinema can only grow stronger if filmmakers grow together.”
“I feel like the space for alternative films with an independent spirit is shrinking. That bothers me,” Shrivastava said. “As a society, I feel we need to have a vibrant film culture with all kinds of films. We need space for diverse, alternative films to thrive. I’m excited to be part of a collective of filmmakers coming together to find ways to foster spaces and systems for these important films.”
The formation of IFAI represents one of the most organized collective efforts yet as India’s independent filmmaking community continues to navigate reduced theatrical release slots and a more cautious streaming environment.
