IFFLA ANNOUNCES 2026 AWARD WINNERS

• By Mabel Pais 

The 24th Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) was held April 23-26, 2026. At the Closing Night Awards Ceremony held at Landmark Sunset Hollywood, the winners of the 2026 Jury and Audience Choice Awards were announced.

Features Jury Members

One of the three Features Jury Members was Cinematographer Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi. He is of Asian Indian origin and based in Los Angeles, CA. He was born and raised in New Delhi.

As an immigrant and a person of color, Farhad brings a unique perspective to the stories he helps tell, and delights in photographing the unspoken relationships that permeate daily interactions. He strives to create compassion and empathy by taking the audience on a journey through the protagonist’s eyes.

The other two jury members were filmmaker Juan Pablo González and film curator Caroline Libresco.

Shorts Jury

One of the two Shorts Jury members was filmmaker Alisha Tejpal. She is an Indian filmmaker whose practice spans fiction and non-fiction, exploring the intersection of anonymity and intimacy in urban landscapes. Her work investigates the invisible social, political, and economic structures that govern quotidian life.

The other jury member was film curator Malin Kan.
The Awards are as follows:

GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR BEST FEATURE

“Shape of Momo”; Director: Tribeny Rai

The jury stated,“We are honored to award the Grand Jury Prize to a debut film that deftly creates a protagonist who inhabits the gray area between righteousness and humility, and delicately charts her journey through the 

complexities of class and gender in a place steeped in tradition.”

FEATURE JURY HONORABLE MENTIONS

“Ghost School”; Director: Seemab Gul

“Lali”; Director: Sarmad Sultan Khoosat 

GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR BEST SHORT

“Room At The Farm”; Directors: Jasmine Kaur Roy & Avinash Roy

The jury stated, “A delicate and nuanced allegory of the fragility of human relationships when faced with the impact of modernization. This film represents rural Punjab with a gaze rarely seen, one that centralizes humanity and desire. Over the course of twenty-three succinct minutes, it allows us to negotiate a devastating reality alongside its characters.”

SHORT JURY HONORABLE MENTIONS

“Bleat!”; Director: Ananth Subramaniam

“Permanent Guest”; Director: Sana Zahra Jafri

AUDIENCE CHOICE  AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE

“Breaking The Code”; Directors: Ben Rekhi and Swetlana

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT

“Rihanna”; Director: Suraj Paudel

LAUNCHPAD: PITCH COMPETITION WINNER

Amarik Singh Khosa’s project, “Blind Tiger”

PITCH COMPETITION HONORABLE MENTION

Priyanka Krishnan and Raman Nimmala’s project,

“Thottal Poo Malarum” (Flowers Bloom when Touched)

Indian Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA)

Learn more at https://indianfilmfestival.org.

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GUITAR VIRTUOSO GUTIERREZ WITH OTHERS CELEBRATES MILES DAVIS CENTENNIAL

• By Mabel Pais

The MILES DAVIS BIRTH CENTENNIAL of the jazz legend in 2026 will be honored with a celebration by the Gil Gutiérrez Trio and guests in “Miles y Mas,” a special two-night engagement at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club. Performances will take place on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13, with each day’s shows at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

GIL GUTIERREZ TRIO & GUESTS

The Gil Gutiérrez Trio features some of the finest musicians in jazz today:

Gil Gutiérrez – Guitar

Dave Rodriguez – Bass

Bob Stern – Violin

Special guests will include:

Cyro Baptista – Percussion

Jon Faddis – Trumpet

“Miles y Mas” honors the centennial of jazz legend Miles Davis, reimagining his iconic works through a Latin lens. Audiences will experience fresh interpretations of Davis’ masterpieces, from “Sketches of Spain” to selections from both his acoustic and electric periods. The program will also highlight music from Gil Gutiérrez acclaimed collaborations with Mexican, Argentine, and Cuban artists.

Gil Gutiérrez is celebrated as one of Mexico’s preeminent guitarists, renowned for his artistry in blending classical, jazz, flamenco, and son cubano. He has toured internationally with luminaries like Ana Gabriel, Arturo Sandoval, Ricardo Arjona, Pedro Guerra, and Doc Severinsen, and was recently featured in Severinsen’s 2022 PBS Masterworks biopic. Gutierrez’s performances are famed for drawing surprise guest appearances from celebrities such as Bonnie Raitt, Meryl Streep, and Doc Severinsen.

Joining Gutiérrez onstage is New Jersey’s Dave Rodriguez, a Grammy and Emmy-nominated bassist, producer, and performer. His musical journey spans venues from Carnegie Hall to the Apollo Theater, collaborating with artists including Max Roach, Tito Puente, and the Rochester Philharmonic. Rodriguez currently serves as Executive Producer at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).

Violinist Bob Stern brings a wealth of experience, having performed with a diverse array of classical and pop artists such as Jerry Miller (Moby Grape), Charlie Prichard, and Laura Branigan.

Special guest percussionist Cyro Baptista is known for his genre-defying collaborations with Herbie Hancock, Carly Simon, Trey Anastasio, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Trumpet virtuoso Jon Faddis — whose illustrious career spans work with Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus — was Grammy-nominated in 2025 for Best Latin Jazz Album.

Gil Gutiérrez Trio and their special guests will lead the audience on a remarkable musical journey celebrating the legacy of Miles Davis and the vibrant fusion of Latin jazz.

Tickets

Secure tickets at www.jazz.org to be part of this extraordinary centennial tribute.

Event Details

Dates Tuesday, May 12 & Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Times 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Venue Jazz at Lincoln Center – Dizzy’s Club, 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY

Tour Dates For upcoming tour dates, visit https://gilgutierrez.com

Gil Gutiérrez

Gil Gutiérrez is a virtuoso of the nylon string guitar, lauded for his innovative fusion of classical, jazz, and flamenco. Revered by peers and audiences alike, he has earned an international reputation and a devoted following spanning Latin America, the United States, and Spain.

His stellar collaborations extend to superstars such as Ana Gabriel, Francisco Céspedes, and Arturo Sandoval. Gutierrez was recently featured on PBS American Masters’ “Never Too Late,” chronicling Doc Severinsen’s legendary career.

As music director for the San Miguel Five, Gutierrez performed at renowned venues including The Kennedy Center, the Mexican Cultural Institute of the Mexican Embassy in Washington D.C., and New York’s Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops.

Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Education, Business, Spirituality, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.