Araluen Arts Centre: 
NIFFA Short Film: The Silent Applause / Feature Film: Manthan
The Silent Applause (2026)
World Premier
Director: Abhimanyu Kanodia
Cast: Namit Das, Dibanisha Banerjee
Duration: 18 minutes
Language: English, Hindi
A lonely filmmaker screens his experimental short film to an empty auditorium, until a mysterious stranger walks in, leading to an unexpected relationship formed entirely through voice notes.
Manthan (1976)
Director: Shyam Benegal
Cast: Girish Karnad, Smita Patil Naseeruddin Shah
Duration: 2 hrs 15 mins
Language: Hindi
Produced by 500,000 farmers who contributed 2 ruppes each towards the making of the film, “Manthan” is a powerful film about the tempestuous winds of change that blow through a village when an idealistic veterinary surgeon from the city arrives in the village to start a milk cooperative movement.
His notions of equitable distribution of profits irrespective of class and caste and freedom from exploitative middlemen, churn up a maelstrom of mistrust, anger and resistance among the feudal landlords and the peasants, threatening the deep-rooted social hierarchy based on generations of discrimination.
The story plumbs the depths of despair as Dr. Rao faces false accusations and village politics, but ends on a high with a glimmering of change as the idea of the cooperative slowly takes root.
Gallery
The National Indian Film Festival of Australia is the first and only national celebration of Indian cinema, and the largest national celebration of Indian cinema anywhere outside India.
In 2026, NIFFA proudly brings Alice Springs into its inaugural Northern Territory edition for the very first time, presenting a curated program of contemporary Indian cinema in the heart of Central Australia at Araluen Arts Centre and Alice Springs Cinema.
Featuring Australian premieres, special screenings, red carpet events and vibrant cultural moments, NIFFA Alice Springs celebrates the richness, diversity and global impact of one of the world’s most dynamic film industries, while creating a new platform for audiences in Alice Springs to connect through cinema, culture and community.
Dates
Times
7.30pm
Prices
Adult
$20
Concession
$18
Genre
Location
Extra information
Online ticketing is available up until one hour prior to the performance.
For ticket purchases after this time, please visit the Araluen Box Office or call us on (08) 8951 1122.
Accessibility
Rating
Booking Fee
For this event, a one-off service fee of $2.50 per transaction applies on all purchases online. All ticket prices include GST.
