SEATTLE (TIP): Consulate General of India in Seattle, in partnership with the Montana World Affairs Council, organized the first ever “Festival of Indian Cinema” at University of Montana in Missoula from 2-4 March 2025.

Nearly 500 plus students from 33 schools participating in the Montana Academic World Quest 2025 attended the Indian Film Festival, which featured screenings of Indian films like “English Vinglish”, “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” and “Rakshabandhan” on 2nd, 3rd and 4th March 2025 respectively, at the University Center Theater of University of Montana. The opening ceremony of the Indian Film Festival was jointly attended by the Mayor of Helena, Wilmot J. Collins, Consul General of India in Seattle Mr. Prakash Gupta, and the World Affairs Council Executive Director, Ms. Nikki Geiszler. The Film Festival aimed to provide high school and university students from Montana with a better understanding of the richness and cultural diversity of India through the medium of Indian cinema.

It may be noted that India was also the Theme Country of this year’s Academic World Quest, which is an annual multi day conference providing an immersive global experience to high school students from all over Montana and hosted by the Montana World Affairs Council. On the sidelines of this year’s Academic Conquest, interactive sessions on Indian classical dance and music, along with presentations on India’s Digital Payments Platforms and the recently concluded Maha Kumbh were also organized at University of Montana in Missoula. Winning students of this year’s India Theme Country Academic World Quest are likely to visit India later this year.