Jharkhand to host first-ever ‘Dharti Aba Tribal Film Festival’ in October

Ranchi: The Jharkhand government will host the inaugural Dharti Aba Tribal Film Festival this October, celebrating tribal life, traditions, and culture through the medium of cinema. Named after tribal hero Birsa Munda, the festival is being organized at the national level to bring together indigenous stories from across India.

Unlike earlier state-focused initiatives, this festival will serve as a pan-India platform. Filmmakers nationwide are invited to submit entries showcasing tribal narratives, lifestyles, and cultural diversity. Organizers hope the event will amplify indigenous voices and spark meaningful dialogue through visual storytelling.

The festival is being organized by the Dr. Ram Dayal Munda Tribal Welfare Research Institute, Ranchi, under the government’s “Tribal Pride Year” initiative. It aims to provide a creative stage for filmmakers, students, researchers, and educators to highlight tribal experiences on screen.

Participation is open to faculty members, Ph.D. and M.Phil scholars, and postgraduate students. Films made under the guidance of academic mentors are encouraged.

Entries are invited in multiple formats, including fiction films, documentaries, short documentaries, short films, animation, and mobile-based or new media films. The last date for registration and submission is 10 September 2025, via the official website: https://www.trijharkhand.in/en/datff.

According to the government, the Dharti Aba Tribal Film Festival is not only a cultural initiative but also a powerful academic and creative movement—an opportunity to bring tribal heritage, identity, and voices to the national and global stage.