The opening film be Eko from the Infinite Chronicles of Kuriachan
The Stuttgart Indian Film Festival, regarded as Europe’s largest Indian film festival, organised by Filmbüro Baden-Württemberg, will take place in Stuttgart, Germany, from July 23 to 26. The four-day programme will feature more than 70 recent Indian feature films, documentaries and short films.
In a press statement, the organisers say that this year’s edition places Malayalam cinema, also known as Mollywood, at the centre of the programme. The festival will showcase films exploring themes including identity, globalisation, tradition, social issues and political change.
The statement adds that the opening film will be Eko from the Infinite Chronicles of Kuriachan, directed by Dinjith Ayyathan, while Bad Girl, directed by Varsha Bharath, will be screened for school audiences on the opening day.
The short film programme features works exploring identity, gender, social issues and everyday life
The feature film programme includes Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra, featuring Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero, Alappuzha Gymkhana, Pennum Porattum – Girl and the Fools’ Parade, Meesha – Moustache, Iktsuarpok – The Weight of Longing, Nevermind, Kangbo Aloti – The Lost Path, The Audition, Sheness and The Great Shamsuddin Family.
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The documentary section focusses on social issues, cultural heritage and marginalised communities. Among the highlighted titles are Saath Paar Zindagi – Life Beyond 60, Divine Beasts in Bondage, Tears Beneath the Laughing Sky, Lives for Leaves – Tea Production in Assam, Nokkuvidya Pavakali – The Survival Story of a Folk Art, Waiting at the Edge of the Gallows, Give It a Shot, Woman on Fire, Even the Fire Knows, The Music Shop – Symphony of the City and Ek Akhiri Sair – One Last Ride, says the statement.
The festival will continue to screen films in their original Indian languages with English subtitles
The festival will also present a dedicated LGBTQIA+ section featuring films from across India. Among the highlights is Onir’s short film Tumhari Khushboo – Your Fragrance, which explores the relationship between a visually impaired masseur and a sports instructor in Mumbai. Onir, regarded as one of the pioneers of queer cinema in India, previously addressed homosexuality and HIV in My Brother… Nikhil and returns to Stuttgart with his latest work.
Other LGBTQIA+ titles include Jasmine That Blooms in Autumn, centred on a relationship between two elderly women in a Kolkata care home, and Bride of Aravan, which documents the Koovagam festival in Tamil Nadu and follows the experiences of transgender activist Bhavadharini.
The short film programme features works exploring identity, gender, social issues and everyday life, while awards will be presented in feature film, documentary and short film categories.
According to the organisers, the 2026 edition has been shortened to four days following reduced funding from the City of Stuttgart. Despite the shorter schedule, the festival will continue to screen films in their original Indian languages with English subtitles.
