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Auroville Film Festival: a week of films on human unity
An outdoor screen, a township in the forest and films about human unity
The Auroville Film Festival is a biennial, non-commercial festival organised by residents of Auroville since 2009, built around the theme of human unity. It runs for one week in the second half of January every second year, with films by Aurovilians and makers from the surrounding region alongside international films. The organisers' site lists no ticket prices, and each evening there is live music at the open-air Kalabhumi amphitheatre.
A biennial festival held since 2009 and organised by residents of Auroville, built around the theme of human unity.
The festival team in Auroville announces the dates about ten months ahead and opens film submissions in May; the screening schedule follows in the weeks before the festival.
The legend
The Auroville Film Festival began in 2009 and has been held every two years since.
It was meant for films on human unity, Auroville's central aspiration, and to connect people and cultures within and beyond the town.
The fifth festival, 16 to 23 December, featured films by Auroville's residents and students, with panels on cinema's role in human solidarity.
After the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 editions the festival moved to even years: 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026.
And each time it stays non-commercial: the films are free to watch, and the evenings end with music in the open air.
Customs
No tickets
Screenings are free: the festival runs on film submission fees, not on tickets.
Open-air screen
Films run at three venues, one of them in the open air.
Evenings
In the evenings musicians play outdoors, there is a food court and a corner for talking about the films.
Kino Kabaret
During the festival a Kino Kabaret runs: filmmakers who have gathered collaborate to make new films.
Local and global
There is an international section on human unity and local ones: films by Auroville makers and students, and on Auroville and its bioregion.
Words of the festival
ஆரோவில்
Auroville
"city of dawn", from French aurore and ville, and after Sri Aurobindo
human unity
the festival's running theme and the aim Auroville itself was founded for
bioregion
the land around Auroville, which has its own film section
Kino Kabaret
a film lab: makers shoot films together during the festival
True or myth
❌ Myth. It is held every two years: first in odd years, and since 2020 in even ones.
✅ True. The festival is non-commercial and charges nothing to watch the programme.
✅ True. After 2017 the next festival came in 2020, and it has kept to even years since.
When it is held
The festival is held every two years. After the editions of 2009 to 2017 in odd years, it moved to even years from 2020, and nine editions have been held so far. In recent editions the week has fallen in the second half of January. The festival team announces the dates on its website about ten months ahead and opens film submissions in spring, around May; the screening schedule follows in the weeks before the festival.
What the week looks like
Films run at three venues across the township, one of them in the open air. At the most recent edition these were the Kalabhumi amphitheatre, with live music every evening followed by screenings, the auditorium of the Multimedia Centre, and CRIPA, with panel discussions with filmmakers at the Centre d'Art. Earlier editions used an outdoor screen in front of the Town Hall and the Cinema Paradiso hall. Venues can change between editions, so check the programme.
The programme has local and international sections: films made by Aurovilians and residents of the bioregion, the land around Auroville including Puducherry; films about Auroville and the bioregion; films by school students under 17; and an international category of films that develop the theme of human unity. During the week a Kino Kabaret runs, a film lab in which the filmmakers who have gathered shoot new films together and screen them before the festival ends. In the evenings there is music outdoors and a place to eat, and at the amphitheatre dinner could be pre-booked.
The festival is described as non-commercial, and past editions were reported as free to watch; the organisers' own pages do not state an entry policy, so check the programme for the edition you plan to attend. At one recent edition auroville.org noted that the Auroville films and most of the human unity films could also be watched free online.
At the screenings
- Come early — Doors open 15 minutes before showtime at the indoor venues.
- No food in the halls — Food and drinks are not allowed inside the screening halls.
- Phones away — Organisers ask the audience not to cross in front of the screen or use phones once the lights are off.
- Plan the ride back — Screenings run into the night, and Auroville's red-dirt lanes have no street lighting; arrange transport back before the evening starts.
Getting there and staying
The venues are spread across Auroville, about 10 km north of Puducherry, and there is no public transport inside the township. Most people get around by bicycle or scooter, which guesthouses often lend, or by community taxis booked by phone; ride-hailing apps do not work inside. Staying in an Auroville guesthouse makes the late evenings easier; see budget stays in Auroville. From Puducherry a taxi for the last 10–12 km costs roughly ₹400–600.
FAQ
When is the Auroville Film Festival?
For one week every second year (even years since 2020), in recent editions in the second half of January. The festival team announces the dates about ten months ahead on its website.
Is the Auroville Film Festival free?
Past editions were reported as free to watch, and the festival is non-commercial, but the organisers' site does not state an entry policy; check the programme before you go.
Is it held every year?
No. It is biennial: in odd years until 2017, and in even years since 2020.
Can I submit a film?
Yes. Submissions open before each festival, in categories for Auroville and the bioregion (including Puducherry), school students under 17, and international films on human unity; the international category takes entries via FilmFreeway.
Sources (4)
Facts checked: 22 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.