The cinematic world is abuzz as the Yellowstone International Film Festival (YIFF) reveals its highly anticipated program for 2025. Set to transform Mumbai into a hub of film artistry from November 13 to 20, this year’s festival will proudly present over 100 diverse films. The selection spans a rich tapestry of genres, from captivating Indian and international feature films to thought-provoking short films, powerful documentaries, cutting-edge queer cinema, and insightful short documentaries.
A distinguished panel of industry experts will meticulously evaluate the submitted entries. This esteemed jury includes renowned filmmakers Nicholas Eliopoulos and Marta Cunningham, the celebrated actor and singer Alison Fraser, and the accomplished, award-winning producer Mariana Méndez Alejandre.
Among the glittering highlights for this year, several international gems will grace Indian and Asian screens for the very first time. Audiences can look forward to the Indian premieres of Zuzana Kirchnerová’s poignant Caravan, Maja Ajmia Zellama’s compelling Têtes Brûlées, Zeshaan Younus’s intriguing I’ve Seen All I Need To See, Ivona Juka’s beautifully crafted Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day, and Morad Mostafa’s captivating Aisha Can’t Fly. Additionally, Kusang Kyirong’s 100 Sunset, Nathan Hertz’s Thinestra, and the collaborative work Aurora by Raintolk and Andres Maimik are all set for their exciting Asian debuts.
YIFF 2025 will also proudly shine a spotlight on the vibrant landscape of Indian independent cinema. Esteemed local productions include Nidhi Saxena’s mysterious Secret of a Mountain Serpent, Abhay Sharma’s thought-provoking Chewing Gum, and Ananyabrata Chakravorty’s enigmatic Kaisi Yeh Paheli.
The festival’s documentary segment promises an equally compelling selection. Viewers can immerse themselves in stories like Gridaran MKP’s impactful Dalit Subbaiah – Voice of the Rebels, Patrick Shannon’s powerful Saints and Warriors, Arushi Nigam’s insightful Dream Factory, and Manjeet Sarkar and Mike Noone’s candid Untouchable: Laughing Out Caste, alongside other remarkable non-fiction works.
Tushar Tyagi, the visionary Founder of YIFF, shared his thoughts on the festival’s ethos. ‘Cinema holds a unique power as an art form that transcends boundaries and speaks a universal language,’ Tyagi remarked. ‘Our 2025 lineup is a testament to this belief, showcasing films that connect diverse cultures, challenge conventional perspectives, and beautifully underscore our shared human experience.’
Anshika Singh, the Festival Director, emphasized the curation philosophy: ‘Our programming is meticulously designed to celebrate both merit and inclusivity. We are particularly excited to highlight films that, owing to their unique style, scope, language, or political themes, often struggle to secure mainstream theatrical distribution. Our ultimate aim is to cultivate a truly democratic platform where these incredible, often unseen, cinematic works can connect with enthusiastic and appreciative audiences.’
From November 13 to 20, YIFF 2025 will unfold across Mumbai. The primary screening venue will be PVR Dynamix in Juhu, complemented by screenings at Gaysi, Veda Kunba, and Veda Blackbox. Beyond the screenings, the festival will also host a series of enriching masterclasses and engaging discussions at various locations throughout the city, offering a holistic cinematic experience.
Featured Film Selections:
- Holy Rosita by Wannes Destoop (Belgium – Asian Premiere)
- Aurora by Rain Tolk, Andres Maimik (Estonia – Asian Premiere)
- Caravan by Zuzana Kirchnerová (France – Indian Premiere)
- A Mother, a Son, and a Murder by Ananyabrata Chakravorty (India – Asian Premiere)
- Thinestra by Nathan Hertz (United States – Asian Premiere)
- Chewing Gum by Abhay Sharma (India – Asian Premiere)
- Secret of a Mountain Serpent by Nidhi Saxena (India)
- I’ve Seen All I Need to See by Zeshaan Younus (United States – Indian Premiere)
- Sheness by Manuraj Dubey (India)
- 100 Sunset by Kunsang Kyirong (Canada – Asian Premiere)
- Têtes Brûlées by Maja Ajmia Zellama (Belgium – Indian Premiere)
- Aisha Can’t Fly Away by Morad Mostafa (Egypt – Indian Premiere)
- Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day by Ivona Junka (Croatia / Poland / Canada / Cyprus / Bosnia and Herzegovina – Indian Premiere)
- The Second Coming Act 1: The New for the Old by Jean Carlos Díaz Sepúlveda (Puerto Rico – Asian Premiere)
Featured Documentary Selections:
- My Missing Aunt — Juyeon Yang (Republic of Korea) — Indian Premiere
- Dalit Subbaiah – Voice of the Rebels — Gridaran MKP (India) — Indian Premiere
- Untouchable: Laughing Out Caste — Manjeet Sarkar, Mike Noone (India) — World Premiere
- Village of Bastards — Amritansh Shukla, Uday Thakur (India) — Asian Premiere
- Fear and Now — Liat Ron (United States) — Asian Premiere
- Trans and Pregnant — Ramon Te Wake (New Zealand)
- Saints and Warriors — Patrick Shannon (Canada) — Indian Premiere
- Negative Remorse — Shankar Goud (India)
- Dream Factory — Aarushi Nigam (India) — Asian Premiere