Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025 23:00 [IST]
Last Update: Monday, Nov 10, 2025 17:18 [IST]
GANGTOK,: Nepali feature film ‘Jaar’, directed by Phurba Tshering Lama, has won the Best Picture Award at the 6th Indic Film Utsav held in Dallas, Texas, from November 7 to 9.
The award marks a significant recognition for the Sikkim-made film, which continues to draw global attention for its rooted storytelling and emotional depth.
“This win belongs to everyone who carried this dream: our cast, crew, backers, and every single person who believed that stories from the mountains could move hearts everywhere. Our heartfelt gratitude to Indica Pictures, the festival team, and the esteemed jury for recognizing the spirit of ‘Jaar’. Your faith in our vision gives strength to every independent filmmaker fighting to tell their truth,” the ‘Jaar’ team shared on social media.
The three-day festival, presented by the Center for Indic Films, celebrated the spirit of Positive Cinema, stories that uplift, enlighten, and celebrate the human spirit. Held at the Galaxy Theater @ Grandscape in Dallas, this year’s edition was the festival’s first 100% theatrical cinema event, bringing together filmmakers, audiences, and cultural thinkers for screenings, panel discussions, and creative exchanges rooted in Indic values.
“Indic Film Utsav is more than a film festival. It’s a movement celebrating stories that affirm life and human dignity.Each of these films reflects courage, compassion, and creativity. We’re deeply proud to see the Indic spirit of storytelling resonate so powerfully across the world,” said Danji Thotapalli, festival director.
The festival opened with ‘American Warrior’, with lead actor Vish Ayyar present, and concluded with 6A Akash Ganga, followed by a Q&A with director Nirmal Chander.
The jury board featured Gowri Sharma, Chair of the Dallas Museum of Art; Raj Rachakonda, Dallas-based filmmaker known for socially rooted cinema; and Kshitiz Rai, co-founder of Prachyam, a Varanasi-based storytelling collective.
Over the past five years, Indic Film Utsav has showcased more than 300 films celebrating human resilience, cultural continuity, and creative courage.
