Dehradun International Film Festival Brings Stars, Cinema and Young Talent Together Dehradun International Film Festival Brings Film Stars and Young Talent Together

DEHRADUN, Oct 3: The 11th edition of the Dehradun International Film Festival is bringing together actors, filmmakers, television personalities, students and emerging performers for three days of cinema, discussions and cultural programmes in the Uttarakhand capital.

The festival began on October 2 and will continue through October 4, offering audiences a combination of film screenings, conversations with artistes, panel discussions and cultural activities. The event is being held at a multiplex and a university in Dehradun, creating a platform where established names from the entertainment industry can interact directly with audiences and young participants.

The 2026 edition features several familiar faces from Hindi cinema and television. The participating personalities include actors Shweta Tripathi, Rajesh Tailang, Deepak Parashar, Mukesh Rishi, Arjun, Gauri Pradhan Tejwani, Hiten Tejwani and Hemant Pandey, along with several artistes associated with Uttarakhand’s cultural scene.

One of the key elements of this year’s programme is the interaction between film personalities and students. A screening scheduled for October 3 will be followed by conversations in which artistes will share their experiences of filmmaking, acting and working in the entertainment industry. The festival is also hosting talk shows throughout its three-day schedule.

Such interactions are intended to give students and aspiring performers an opportunity to hear directly from people who have worked across different areas of cinema and television. Instead of limiting the event to conventional screenings, the festival has incorporated discussions and exchanges that explore the practical and creative aspects of working in the entertainment sector.

The programme also places emphasis on accessibility. A special screening of Jolly LLB 3 has been planned for visually impaired students, making inclusion one of the notable features of this year’s festival. Organisers have presented the initiative as part of an effort to make cinema more accessible to audiences with different needs.

The festival’s organisers have also highlighted the importance of connecting cinema with young people and local talent. The event is designed not merely as a platform for showcasing films but as a meeting point for artistes, students, audiences and performers from the region.

The Uttarakhand Talent Hunt is another major component of the programme. It provides local participants with an opportunity to present their abilities in acting, dance, poetry, mimicry and singing. This gives emerging artists a platform alongside the established personalities attending the festival.

The inclusion of local performers adds a regional dimension to the event. While the festival features actors and entertainment professionals known to audiences across India, the talent hunt focuses on discovering and presenting performers from Uttarakhand.

The organisers have also scheduled panel discussions covering filmmaking and the broader world of cinema. These sessions provide space for artistes and experts to discuss their experiences while giving audiences an opportunity to understand different aspects of film production and performance.

The presence of actors associated with popular television and streaming projects has added another dimension to the festival. Shweta Tripathi and Rajesh Tailang, both recognised for their work in Mirzapur, are among the names participating in the event. Their involvement brings the growing influence of streaming entertainment into conversations traditionally centred around theatrical cinema.

Veteran actors such as Deepak Parashar and Mukesh Rishi are also part of the line-up, giving audiences access to performers with long careers across different phases of Indian entertainment.

The festival’s three-day format allows the programme to move beyond a single evening of screenings. Film presentations, conversations, cultural performances and talent-focused activities are spread across October 2, 3 and 4, creating multiple opportunities for audiences to participate.

The organisers have described the festival as an effort to bring cinema, artistes, youth and local talent together on one platform. This approach reflects the event’s wider focus on engagement rather than simply screening films.

For students interested in acting, direction and other areas of filmmaking, the October 3 interactions are particularly significant. Direct conversations with working artistes can provide insight into the demands of the profession, the creative process and the experiences that shape careers in the entertainment industry.

At the same time, the talent hunt provides a public platform for performers who may not yet have access to the national entertainment industry. By combining professional participation with local opportunities, the festival is attempting to create a broader ecosystem around cinema and the performing arts.

The event also contributes to Dehradun’s growing cultural calendar. Hosting a multi-day film festival brings audiences together around screenings and live conversations while providing a platform for artists to connect with the region.

With the programme continuing until October 4, audiences can expect further screenings, artiste interactions, discussions and cultural events over the remaining days. The combination of established performers, student engagement and local talent makes this year’s edition broader than a conventional film showcase.

As the 11th edition continues, the festival is positioning itself as a space where established cinema personalities and emerging performers can meet audiences in an informal setting. Its focus on discussions, accessibility and regional talent also gives the event a distinctive character within the entertainment calendar for October 2026.