The 1st Festival of Indian Cinema in Seattle commences at the iconic Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP)

March 22 :
The Inaugural Ceremony of the 1st Festival of Indian Cinema in Seattle was hosted today, jointly by the Consulate General of India, along with MOPOP (Museum of Pop Culture). It featured a short documentary on the recently concluded Mahakumbh at Prayagraj, along with excerpts of Prime Minister’s podcast with Lex Fridman, focusing on the foundational idea of India and its central message of Unity in Diversity.

(Audience viewing excerpts of PM's podcast with Lex Fridman (21 March 2025, Seattle))

2. The Inaugural Ceremony was attended by leading members of the film and media fraternity in Seattle, along with US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, King County Council Vice Chair Sarah Perry, Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho and CEO of MOPOP Michele Y. Smith. It was followed by screenings of three popular Indian films - “English Vinglish” on 21st March and “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” on 22nd March and “Raksha Bandhan” - on 23 March, respectively. 

(Viewing of documentary on recently concluded Mahakumbh (21 March 2025, Seattle))

3. In a special gesture to honour the legacy of Indian Cinema, 21-23 March were proclaimed as “Indian Cinema Festival Days” across all the 39 cities of King County, including in the Greater Seattle area. The three-day long Festival of Indian cinema also showcased a special photo exhibit on the “History of Indian Cinema”, which chronicles the journey of Indian films over the years along with some of its leading titles, and will be on display at MOPOP Seattle till 23rd March 2025.