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

> DIFF 2026, the 15th Dharamshala International Film Festival, runs from 29 October to 1 November 2026 at the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) in Upper Dharamshala. Dates, the four screens, daily hours, passes and how to buy them, the films announced so far, festival rules, how to reach TCV from McLeod Ganj and where to stay nearby.

- **URL:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/dharamshala-film-festival-diff-2026
- **Category:** Festivals
- **Published:** 2026-10-25
- **Updated:** 2026-10-25
- **Author:** Dharamshala Stay Team
- **Image:** https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/mcleod-ganj.jpg (Buildings of McLeod Ganj stacked along a forested hillside above the Kangra Valley)

**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.

![Buildings of McLeod Ganj stacked along a forested hillside above the Kangra Valley](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/mcleod-ganj.jpg)

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

| Question | Answer | Source / status |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 (4 days), 15th edition | diff.co.in; PTI, 2 Oct 2026; confirmed |
| Venue | Tibetan Children's Village (TCV), Upper Dharamshala. DIFF says to search "Tibetan Children's Village" on Google Maps | diff.co.in FAQ; confirmed |
| Screens | Four: Hermann Gmeiner Hall, PictureTime 1 (Basketball Court), PictureTime 2 and PictureTime 3 (Football Ground) | diff.co.in FAQ; confirmed |
| Daily hours | Box office 9 am; first screening 10 am; last screening ends about 9 pm | diff.co.in FAQ; confirmed |
| Entry | Festival pass needed: Student, Delegate, Special Delegate or DIFF Supporter. One pass covers all screenings | diff.co.in FAQ; confirmed |
| Pass prices | Not given on the official pages we read; shown at checkout on the ticketing site | Check before you buy |
| Day passes | A limited number for local attendees at the venue, first come, first served | diff.co.in FAQ; do not count on it |
| From McLeod Ganj main square | About 2 km; 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. Walking is uphill | diff.co.in FAQ (time); our listing (distance) |
| From Kotwali Bazaar | Up the hill via McLeod Ganj, then on to TCV. We have not published a checked distance | Plan for the climb plus 10 to 15 minutes from McLeod Ganj |
| Nearest taxi stand | Dal Lake, within walking distance of TCV | diff.co.in FAQ |
| Parking | None inside TCV. Some spots within 500 m near Dal Lake and down Satobari Road, not guaranteed | diff.co.in FAQ |
| Nearest airport | Kangra Airport (Gaggal), about 45 to 50 minutes by taxi to TCV | diff.co.in FAQ |
| Full daily schedule | "Coming soon" on the official FAQ when we checked | Not yet published (25 Oct) |

## 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.

| Day | Date | What is confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 29 October | Day 1. Opening film: Rima Das, *Not a Hero* (Homegrown, 23 Oct; NewsBytes) |
| Friday | 30 October | Screenings 10 am to about 9 pm; KNMA activities |
| Saturday | 31 October | Screenings 10 am to about 9 pm; KNMA activities |
| Sunday | 1 November | Last day. Closing film: Shashank Walia, *Birds in the Dark* (Homegrown, 23 Oct) |

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](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/naddi-dal-lake-guide) for the area.

The official FAQ lists four screens on the campus:

| Screen | Where on the TCV campus |
|---|---|
| Hermann Gmeiner Hall | Hall on the campus |
| PictureTime 1 | Basketball Court |
| PictureTime 2 | Football Ground |
| PictureTime 3 | Football Ground |

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).

| Pass | What we know |
|---|---|
| Student | Listed by DIFF. Bring a valid student ID |
| Delegate | Listed by DIFF. Not sold at the venue: buy online |
| Special Delegate | Priority access to screenings, first come, first served |
| DIFF Supporter | Priority access to screenings, first come, first served |
| Day pass | A limited number for local attendees at the venue, first come, first served |

**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**

| Slot | Film | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Opening film | *Not a Hero*, Rima Das (Assamese) | Homegrown, 23 Oct 2026; NewsBytes |
| Closing film | *Birds in the Dark*, Shashank Walia (Punjabi) | Homegrown, 23 Oct 2026 |

**Indian films announced**

| Film | Director | Note |
|---|---|---|
| *Rehmat* | Gurvinder Singh | Based on stories by Ajeet Cour, with Naseeruddin Shah; world premiere at Locarno |
| *Termite* | Shaunak Sen | His first fiction film after *All That Breathes*; world premiere at Toronto |
| *Members of the Problematic Family* | R Gowtham | Tamil |
| *The Ordinary Star* | Samreen Farooqui and Shabani Hassanwalia | Follows Nawazuddin Siddiqui |
| *Working Girls* | Paromita Vohra | Women's work across India |
| *Shadowbox* | Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi | A Kolkata family |
| *Mast Mahila Mandali* | Ten women from Mumbai's eastern suburbs | Documentary |
| *The Ink Stained Hand and The Missing Thumb* | Yashasvi Juyal | A remote toll booth worker |
| *Hunter's Moon* | Ridham Janve | Set in the Upper Dhauladhar |

**International films announced**

| Film | Director |
|---|---|
| *Sirat* | Oliver Laxe |
| *Time and Water* | Sara Dosa |
| *Celtic Utopia* | Dennis Harvey and Lars Loven |
| *9 Temples to Heaven* | Sompot Chidgasornpongse |
| *A Fox Under a Pink Moon* | Mehrdad Oskouei |

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.

| From | How | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| McLeod Ganj main square | Taxi, auto or shared jeep | 10 to 15 minutes (DIFF) |
| Kotwali Bazaar, lower Dharamshala | Taxi up via McLeod Ganj | Allow for the climb to McLeod Ganj first |
| Kangra Airport (Gaggal) | Taxi | About 45 to 50 minutes to TCV (DIFF). Our [Gaggal airport to McLeod Ganj taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi/gaggal-airport-to-mcleod-ganj-taxi) has a fixed fare |
| Amb Andaura station (Vande Bharat from Delhi) | Taxi | About 3 hours (DIFF). See our [Amb Andaura station taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi/amb-andaura-railway-station-to-dharamshala-taxi) |
| Pathankot station | Taxi | About 3.5 hours (DIFF); see the [Pathankot station taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi/pathankot-railway-station-to-dharamshala-taxi) |
| Delhi | Overnight Volvo bus or car | About 470 km, 10 to 11 hours (DIFF); or book a [Delhi to Dharamshala taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/taxi/delhi-to-dharamshala-taxi) |

**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](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/how-to-reach-dharamshala) and the [Kangra Airport guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/kangra-airport-gaggal-guide). We can book your airport pickup and a daily taxi to TCV: [book a taxi](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/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.

| Area | Why for DIFF | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| McLeod Ganj | Most choice, food and taxis; short ride to TCV | [Hotels near the Dalai Lama Temple](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels/near-dalai-lama-temple) |
| Naddi and Dal Lake side | Closest area to TCV, quiet, Dhauladhar views | [Mountain-view hotels](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels/mountain-view) and the [Naddi area guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/destinations/naddi) |
| Dharamkot and Bhagsu | Backpacker cafes and hostels, further from TCV | [Hostels and budget stays](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels/hostels) |
| Lower Dharamshala | Easy roads and closer to the airport; longest ride up to TCV | [All hotels](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels) |

Late October is busy season, and festival-goers fill rooms close to TCV. Book now. Browse all [hotels in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/hotels), or read [where to stay in Dharamshala](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/where-to-stay-in-dharamshala) and our [McLeod Ganj guide](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/mcleod-ganj-complete-guide).

![Naddi village houses and terraced fields with the snow-capped Dhauladhar range behind](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/images/places/naddi.jpg)

## 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](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/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)

| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Dates 29 Oct to 1 Nov, TCV Upper Dharamshala | Confirmed by the official site and news |
| Four screens, daily hours 10 am to about 9 pm | Confirmed by the official FAQ |
| Pass types and rules | Confirmed by the official FAQ |
| Opening film *Not a Hero* | Reported by Homegrown and NewsBytes |
| Closing film *Birds in the Dark* | Reported by Homegrown only |
| Pass prices | Not found on the official pages we read |
| Film-by-film schedule and guests | Not yet published when we checked |
| Age limit | None published |

For everything else on this season, see our [festivals and events calendar for Dharamshala](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/blog/festivals-events-calendar-dharamshala) and the [events page](https://www.dharamshalastay.com/events), where we also offer a film festival stay package.

## FAQs

**When is the Dharamshala International Film Festival 2026?**
DIFF 2026, the 15th edition, runs from Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 at the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) in Upper Dharamshala, according to the official festival website.

**Where is DIFF held in Dharamshala?**
At the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV), a school in Upper Dharamshala just above Dal Lake, about 2 km and 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from McLeod Ganj. There are four screens on the campus: Hermann Gmeiner Hall and three PictureTime screens on the basketball court and football ground.

**How do I buy DIFF 2026 passes?**
Online, through the Passes link on the official site diff.co.in. Pass types are Student, Delegate, Special Delegate and DIFF Supporter. Delegate passes are not sold at the venue; a limited number of day passes are sold there to local attendees, first come, first served. Passes cannot be transferred.

**What are the DIFF 2026 timings?**
The box office opens at 9 am, the first screening starts at 10 am and the last screening ends around 9 pm on each of the four days, according to the official DIFF FAQ. The film-by-film schedule is published separately by the festival.

**Do I need a separate ticket for each film at DIFF?**
No. Any DIFF pass covers all screenings. There is no reserved seating: you queue at the hall and seats go first come, first served, with priority access for Special Delegate and Supporter pass holders.

**Is there parking at TCV for the film festival?**
No. There is no parking inside the TCV campus. A few spots within 500 m near Dal Lake and on Satobari Road are not guaranteed, so the festival recommends a taxi or shared jeep. The Dal Lake taxi stand is within walking distance of TCV.

**What is the opening film of DIFF 2026?**
Rima Das’s Not a Hero opens DIFF 2026, according to Homegrown and NewsBytes, and Shashank Walia’s Birds in the Dark closes it, according to Homegrown. Other announced films include Rehmat by Gurvinder Singh, Termite by Shaunak Sen and Sirat by Oliver Laxe.

## Sources

- [Dharamshala International Film Festival, official site (checked 25 October 2026)](https://diff.co.in/)
- [DIFF FAQs: venue, screens, timings, passes, travel (official, checked 25 October 2026)](https://diff.co.in/faqs/)
- [Gurvinder Singh’s Rehmat, Shaunak Sen’s Termite in first lineup of Dharamshala film fest (PTI via ThePrint, 2 October 2026; checked 25 October 2026)](https://theprint.in/feature/gurvinder-singhs-rehmat-shaunak-sens-termite-in-first-lineup-of-dharamshala-film-fest/3060266/)
- [The Dharamshala International Film Festival marks 15 years of celebrating independent cinema (Homegrown, 23 October 2026; checked 25 October 2026)](https://homegrown.co.in/homegrown-creators/the-dharamshala-international-film-festival-marks-15-years-of-celebrating-independent-cinema)
- [Tickets for DIFF go live on September 22: a film festival in the hills (Time Out India, 21 September 2026; checked 25 October 2026)](https://www.timeout.com/india/news/tickets-for-diff-go-live-on-september-22-a-film-festival-in-the-hills-092126)
- [Dharamshala International Film Festival from October 29 (UNI, 17 October 2026; checked 25 October 2026)](https://www.uniindia.com/north-india/event-dharamshala-international-film-festival/217642)
- [Kinaare to debut at DIFF, with Not a Hero as opening film (NewsBytes, October 2026; checked 25 October 2026)](https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/kirti-kulhari-s-kinaare-to-debut-at-diff/story)

---

From Dharamshala Stay (https://www.dharamshalastay.com). Contact: +91-98057-00665, hello@dharamshalastay.com