More than 120 Indian filmmakers and producers have come together with a blunt message: independent cinema cannot keep waiting for the market to make room for it.

The new group, the Independent Filmmakers Assn. of India, aims to tackle the structural problems that have long squeezed the country’s indie sector — limited theatrical access, weak distribution pathways and poor visibility on streaming platforms. Organizers have framed the body as a not-for-profit collective, signaling that this effort targets industry reform rather than brand-building for any one banner or creator.

India’s indie film community has moved from scattered frustration to collective action.

The association made its formal public debut at the Cannes Film Festival, a high-profile launch that gives the initiative international visibility as well as domestic weight. Reports indicate actor-producer Anshuman Jha and filmmaker Devashish Makhija represented the collective at the event, underscoring that both creative and producing voices want a stronger, more reliable route to audiences.

Key Facts

  • More than 120 Indian filmmakers and producers have joined the new collective.
  • The organization is called the Independent Filmmakers Assn. of India.
  • The group says it will focus on theatrical access, distribution and streaming visibility.
  • IFAI formally launched in public at the Cannes Film Festival.

The move reflects a wider pressure point in Indian entertainment. Independent films often win praise in festival circles yet struggle to secure meaningful theatrical runs or sustained placement on streaming services once the spotlight fades. By organizing under one banner, members appear to be betting that a unified industry voice can negotiate harder, advocate more clearly and force attention onto the bottlenecks that isolate smaller films from viewers.

What happens next will determine whether this launch becomes a turning point or just another statement of intent. The real test will come in how effectively the collective can convert visibility into better release opportunities, stronger distribution support and more discoverable streaming placement. If it succeeds, the impact could reach far beyond its members, opening the door for a broader range of Indian stories to find an audience.