Every autumn, one of India’s most loved independent film festivals takes over a school campus above McLeod Ganj. The Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) pairs world cinema with deodar forests and Dhauladhar views, and it draws filmmakers, students and travellers from across the country. Here is how to plan a trip around it.

Dharamshala International Film Festival 2026: dates and venue

The 15th edition of DIFF runs from 29 October to 1 November 2026 at the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) in Upper Dharamshala, near McLeod Ganj, with an online edition following in early November. The programme typically mixes international features, documentaries and shorts with Q&As and masterclasses. Passes, the film line-up and daily schedules are published on diff.co.in closer to the festival.

Why DIFF is worth building a trip around

Late October is one of the best windows of the year in Dharamshala: monsoon haze gone, skies clear, and the first snow often dusting the peaks. The festival itself is intimate by design; you queue with the directors, conversations spill into the chai stalls, and screenings end with the mountains glowing outside. Add the Dalai Lama Temple, Norbulingka and the cafes of McLeod Ganj, and four days fill themselves.

Getting to the festival

• The TCV campus is a short taxi ride above McLeod Ganj; on festival days shared cabs and shuttles are usually easy to find.
• Gaggal (Kangra) airport is around 40 minutes from the venue, with daily Delhi flights.
• Book accommodation early. Festival week coincides with peak autumn season and the town fills up.
• Evenings turn cold at that altitude in late October. Carry proper layers for night screenings.

Where to stay for DIFF

Staying in McLeod Ganj puts you closest to the venue but in the thick of the crowds. A calmer pattern that regulars follow: stay lower down and drive up for the day’s screenings. The Divine Hima in Sidhpur is about 40 minutes from TCV, with quiet rooms, mountain views and our restaurant serving the Himachali Dham, the region’s traditional festive thali, a fitting end to a festival day. Our where to stay in Dharamshala guide compares all the areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Dharamshala International Film Festival in 2026?

DIFF 2026 runs from 29 October to 1 November 2026 at the Tibetan Children’s Village in Upper Dharamshala, with an online edition in early November. Check diff.co.in for passes and the programme.

How do I get passes for DIFF?

Passes and the film line-up are released on the official website, diff.co.in, in the weeks before the festival. Day passes and full festival passes are usually available.

Where should I stay for the Dharamshala film festival?

McLeod Ganj is closest to the venue but busiest. Quieter bases like Sidhpur, around 40 minutes away, let you enjoy the festival by day and calm mountain evenings after; The Divine Hima is located there.

What is the weather like in Dharamshala during DIFF?

Late October and early November bring clear skies, crisp days and cold evenings. Expect daytime temperatures around 15 to 20°C and near-freezing nights at higher altitudes, so pack layers.