Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) 2026: Dates, Venue, Passes & Stay

Short answer: The 15th Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) runs from Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 at the Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) in Upper Dharamshala, by Dal Lake above McLeod Ganj. The box office opens at 9 am, the first film starts at 10 am and the last ends around 9 pm, according to the official DIFF FAQ. You need a festival pass, bought online through the ticketing link on diff.co.in; delegate passes are not sold at the venue. As we write on 25 October, the festival starts in four days.

DIFF is the independent film festival of the hills: four days of Indian and international features, documentaries and shorts, with filmmaker Q&As, panels and masterclasses. This guide says clearly what the festival has confirmed for 2026 and what it has not. It was checked against the official site and news reports on 25 October 2026.

DIFF 2026: Quick Facts

What is the Dharamshala International Film Festival?

DIFF is an independent film festival held every year in Dharamshala. It was founded in 2012 by the filmmakers Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam (PTI, 2 October 2026). Bina Paul is director of programming for 2026.

The official site describes the programme as "international features, documentaries, and shorts" with "panel discussions, interactive Q&As, and exciting masterclasses with esteemed filmmakers". Non-English films are shown with English subtitles (DIFF FAQ).

Around the screenings, three things are announced for 2026 (PTI, 2 October 2026):

• Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) drop-in activities on all four days: cyanotype printing, film-strip weaving and a collaborative mosaic mural designed by Tibetan artist Tashi Nyima.
• Himalayan Film Fellows Programme, supported by Arthshila, for filmmakers from the Indian Himalayan Region: seven fellows selected for 2026.
• Community screenings across Kangra with the Royal Enfield Social Mission, at schools, universities, nunneries, NGOs and the district jail.

When is DIFF 2026?

29 October to 1 November 2026. The official site says: "The 15th edition of Dharamshala International Film Festival will be held from 29 October to 1 November 2026". PTI (2 October), UNI (17 October) and Homegrown (23 October) give the same dates.

Some older pages, including Wikipedia, still show early or mid-November dates from past editions. Go by the official site.

Exact screening times for each film had not been published on the official FAQ when we checked on 25 October. Look for the schedule on diff.co.in and the DIFF Instagram before you plan your day.

Where is DIFF held?

At the Tibetan Children's Village (TCV), a large residential school for Tibetan children in Upper Dharamshala. It sits just above Dal Lake, on the road from McLeod Ganj towards Naddi. Read our Naddi and Dal Lake guide for the area.

The official FAQ lists four screens on the campus:

Time Out (21 September 2026) listed Dekyi Tsering Hall as one of the four venues, but the current official FAQ does not. Check the screen printed on the schedule.

Remember it is a working school. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the premises, and the campus is large and hilly. If you need help with access, the festival asks you to contact them in advance (DIFF FAQ).

How do I get DIFF 2026 passes?

Online, through the "Passes" link on the official site, diff.co.in, which goes to the festival's ticketing partner. Passes went on sale on 22 September 2026 at 10.30 am (Time Out, 21 September 2026).

Rules from the official FAQ:

• One pass covers all screenings. There are no separate tickets per film: you queue at the hall.
• There is no reserved seating; seats go first come, first served.
• Passes cannot be transferred once bought.
• Upgrades at the venue depend on availability.

Prices: we did not find pass prices on the official pages we read on 25 October, and third-party pages quote figures copied from earlier years. Check the price at checkout on the official ticketing link, not on a blog. We found no published age limit; ask the festival if you are bringing children.

What is showing at DIFF 2026?

The festival had announced these films by 25 October. The full schedule was not yet on the official FAQ.

Opening and closing

Indian films announced

International films announced

Sources: PTI (2 October 2026) and Homegrown (23 October 2026). Festival director Ritu Sarin told UNI (17 October) that film personalities from India and abroad were expected, but the festival had not named its guests in anything we read. DIFF has no competitive awards.

How do I reach TCV from McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala?

TCV is about 2 km from McLeod Ganj main square, and DIFF says a taxi takes 10 to 15 minutes. Shared taxis or jeeps are cheaper but may leave you with a short walk, and walking from McLeod Ganj is uphill.

Do not drive to TCV if you can avoid it. There is no parking inside the campus, and the few spots near Dal Lake and on Satobari Road are not guaranteed. The Dal Lake taxi stand is within walking distance of the gate, so a taxi there and back is the easiest plan.

For every route into town, see how to reach Dharamshala and the Kangra Airport guide. We can book your airport pickup and a daily taxi to TCV: book a taxi.

Where should I stay for DIFF 2026?

McLeod Ganj is the easiest base: lots of rooms and cafes, and 10 to 15 minutes from TCV by taxi. For the quietest nights and mountain views, stay towards Naddi, on the same road just beyond Dal Lake.

Late October is busy season, and festival-goers fill rooms close to TCV. Book now. Browse all hotels in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, or read where to stay in Dharamshala and our McLeod Ganj guide.

What is the weather like in late October?

Dry, clear and cool, with cold evenings. In McLeod Ganj, October days average about 20 to 22°C and nights about 9 to 11°C; November drops to about 16 to 18°C by day and 5 to 7°C at night. October rainfall averages only about 55 mm (see our best time to visit Dharamshala guide).

Three of the four screens are PictureTime pop-up cinemas set up on the basketball court and football ground, so you walk between screens in the open, and screenings run until about 9 pm. Bring a warm jacket and a hat for the evenings and the ride back.

Tips for DIFF 2026

1. Buy your pass online now. Delegate passes are not sold at the venue, and day passes for locals are limited.
2. Queue early for the opening film, the closing film and well-known titles. There is no reserved seating.
3. Take a taxi, not your car. No parking at TCV; use the Dal Lake taxi stand.
4. Dress for two climates: warm sun at midday, cold on the hillside campus at night.
5. Eat at the stalls between films. Food stalls run on site, but you cannot take food or drink into the screening spaces.
6. Respect the school. No smoking on the campus. DIFF has a zero-tolerance Safe Space Policy against harassment and abuse.
7. Check the schedule each morning on diff.co.in and the DIFF Instagram; timings and screens can change.

What is confirmed and what is not (25 October 2026)

For everything else on this season, see our festivals and events calendar for Dharamshala and the events page, where we also offer a film festival stay package.