Bindusagar Selected for New York Indian Film Festival Screening on May 30

Bhubaneswar: The Odia film Bindusagar has earned international recognition with its official selection at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) 2026. The film will be screened on May 30 at 3:15 PM as part of the four-day festival scheduled from May 28 to 31.

Regarded as the oldest Indian film festival in North America, NYIFF showcases a curated mix of films and conversations celebrating diverse voices in Indian cinema. The inclusion of Bindusagar marks a significant milestone for Odia cinema on the global stage.

Directed by Abhishek Swain, the film represents a striking new voice from Odisha. Swain, who earlier gained recognition for his debut feature Jajabara 2.0 and his award-winning anthology Four, continues his distinctive storytelling style with Bindusagar. The film is described as a meditative and visually rich narrative set against the ancient temples and living heritage of Bhubaneswar, exploring themes of displacement, grief and the power of storytelling.

The film features a strong ensemble cast including Prakruti Mishra, Dipanwit Dashmohapatra, Sonalli Sharmisstha, Satya Ranjan, Robin Das, Sukant Rath and Pranab Prasanna Rath. The film will be screened as an Odia narrative feature with English subtitles.

Bindusagar tells the story of a young woman who returns to Bhubaneswar from abroad to fulfil her mother’s last wish, only to rediscover her roots, identity and emotional connections along the way.

Earlier, the film was released across 85 theatres in the state and others, marking a wide national release for an Odia film. Produced by Shiladitya Bora and backed by a young creative team, the film reflects the evolving landscape of Ollywood, where fresh narratives and new-age filmmakers are gaining prominence.

The selection of Bindusagar at NYIFF 2026 is being seen as a major boost for Odia cinema’s growing presence on the international festival circuit.