South Asian Indian Film Festival Florida Returns to Tampa in 2026 with a Dynamic Global Lineup
Tampa, FL – The South Asian Indian Film Festival Florida (SAIFFF) returns to Tampa for its third annual edition from February 20–22, 2026, at NCG Cinemas, presenting a powerful celebration of South Asian and global cinema. The festival will showcase over 50 films, including feature-length films, short films, and documentaries from filmmakers representing India, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Korea.
Supported by TeamLogicIT, GroundGame Health, Blackstraw, The Neuropsychiatry & TMS Group, Convergent Media, and Sakar Trust, SAIFFF is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to cultural exchange through cinema. Founded to amplify diverse voices and stories rarely seen in mainstream film, SAIFFF 2026 blends compelling storytelling with immersive cultural experiences. In addition to film screenings, attendees can participate in panel discussions, press conferences, curated networking events, yoga and meditation sessions, Bollywood workout experiences, and vibrant Bollywood dance parties throughout the weekend.
The festival opens on Friday, February 20, with a red-carpet Opening Night Premiere and Reception, welcoming filmmakers, artists, and special guests. Screenings continue through Saturday and Sunday, culminating in a Closing Night Awards Ceremony on February 22, celebrating excellence in feature films, short films, documentaries, performances, and cinematic storytelling.
SAIFFF 2026 will host a star-studded lineup, including Bollywood favorites Omi Vaidya (3 Idiots) and Aryan Vaid, alongside international filmmakers, actors, and Mrs. Universe titleholders, further reinforcing the festival’s global reach and cultural significance.
Special highlights include out-of-competition screenings of beloved classics such as English Vinglish, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Vikram (Tamil), and the Gujarati National Award–winning film Hellaro.
“SAIFFF 2026 received a record number of submissions, and we are proud to bring these voices to Tampa while fostering meaningful connections through film,” said Festival Director Hemant Dinkar.
This year’s short films and documentaries offer intimate, thought-provoking storytelling from across the South Asian diaspora and beyond. Highlights include The Heart Smiles, a heartfelt tale of two grandparents rekindling love; Kaju Katli, which follows a grieving Marathi-American teen finding healing through cooking during Diwali; JAAR, a 19th-century Nepalese story of love and resistance against caste oppression; Almari Ka Achaar, a tender portrait of quiet love and resilience between two middle-aged men; Kaashi to Kumbh, a spiritual journey through India’s sacred rituals and landscapes; Tat Tvam Asi – That You Are!, exploring identity and belonging as a migrant son returns to India to perform his father’s last rites; Kathaakar Ki Diary – The Story of Ordinary Lives, an interwoven narrative celebrating shared humanity across class, gender, and identity; and At Last We Said Goodbye, an emotionally layered exploration of fractured family bonds and unresolved love.
The festival will close with the U.S. premiere of Hindi Vindi, starring Neena Gupta, a cross-cultural story that blends music, identity, and generational connection.
