More than 120 Indian filmmakers and producers have united to establish the Independent Filmmakers Assn. of India, a not-for-profit collective designed to improve theatrical access, distribution pathways and streaming visibility for the country’s independent sector.
IFAI made its formal public debut at the Cannes Film Festival, with actor-producer Anshuman Jha and filmmaker Devashish Makhija representing the body at the announcement. Founded as a democratic, member-driven entity, IFAI will work through dedicated groups addressing advocacy, exhibition, distribution, public policy, mentorship and audience development.
The formation was partly prompted by the theatrical struggles that surrounded director Kanu Behl’s “Agra” in late 2025. The film debuted at Cannes in 2023. Despite strong critical support, it was allotted limited showtimes and minimal exhibition backing — a situation its makers came to see as emblematic of wider structural failures confronting Indian indie cinema.
“What started as a small WhatsApp conversation between a handful of filmmakers organically grew into a larger movement,” the founding members said in a joint statement. “We realized that independent films in India are surviving not because of the system, but often in spite of it. What we needed was a collective voice.”
