Ranchi
The Dr Ramdayal Munda Tribal Welfare Research Institute (TRI) here will host the inaugural national-level Dharti Aaba Tribal Film Festival. Tribal icon Birsa Munda is revered as Dharti Aaba (Father of the Earth)
The festival will be a collaboration between the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Department of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Minority, and Backward Class Welfare, Government of Jharkhand. It aims to provide a platform to filmmakers for fostering cultural exchanges and raise awareness about tribal culture, struggles and achievements through cinema.
“Jharkhand welcomes you to celebrate the vibrant culture and stories of tribal communities from all over India,” said Jharkhand’s Minister for SC, ST and BC Welfare Chamra Linda.
Officials said the festival is open to filmmakers, animators, and storytellers from across India whose work explores tribal life and issues. It will have a curated section of the best in tribal cinema — from gripping drams to heartwarming emotions.
Entries can be submitted through the official TRI Jharkhand website at https://www.trijharkhand.in/en/datff. The last date for submission is September 10, 2025. The fest dates will be announced thereafter.
Eligible films must have been released after December 31, 2020, and should carry embedded English subtitles. Submissions are invited in six competitive categories: Feature Film, Documentary, Short Documentary, Short Fiction, Animation and New Media or Mobile Films.
Entries must reflect one or more of the seven core themes namely:
- Identity and Resistance: Films that explore the challenges tribal communities face in preserving their identity and resisting external forces.
- Indigenous Wisdom, Knowledge Systems and Tribal Philosophy (environmental consciousness): Documentaries or narratives that showcase the traditional knowledge systems, ecological practices, and sustainable lifestyles of tribal societies.
- Tribal Art, Culture, and Aesthetics: Visual celebrations of tribal art forms, music, dance, and other cultural expressions in the context of conflict and change.
- Community Transformation: Stories of positive or upward mobility within tribal societies that inspire hope and progress.
- Tales of Empowerment from Tribal communities: Narratives highlighting the pivotal roles and contributions within tribal communities (especially the role of women).
- Biopics / Epics: Films that document the lives and achievements of tribal leaders, freedom fighters, and other significant figures who have shaped history.
- Slice of Tribal Life: Work of art that depicts the mundane experiences of tribal life
