Mexico
Indian Film Festival at UNAM in Mexico Celebrates Indian Cinema, Culture and Heritage: The Embassy of India in Mexico, in collaboration with the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Aragón (FES Aragón) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), organised an Indian Film Festival on September 3, 2026, celebrating India’s cinema, music, dance and cultural heritage.
The festival brought together students, faculty members and members of the university community to experience India’s diverse artistic traditions while strengthening cultural and academic ties between India and Mexico.
The programme began with a yoga session introducing participants to the traditional Indian practice and its holistic approach to physical and mental well-being. The session was followed by the formal inauguration of the festival and a cultural programme showcasing different aspects of Indian heritage.
Indian Music, Dance and Textile Traditions Take Centre Stage
The festival was addressed by Deepti Ganji, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Mexico, and Professor Manuel Silva Sánchez, Secretary General of FES Aragón.
Ganji highlighted the role of cinema and cultural exchanges in bringing India and Mexico closer, noting the shared appreciation for storytelling in both countries. Professor Silva Sánchez welcomed continued cultural engagement and emphasised the value of such initiatives for the university community. He also joined students in the traditional FES Aragón chant, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
The cultural programme featured a sitar and tabla performance, introducing audiences to two distinctive instruments associated with India’s classical music traditions.
A highlight was a Kalbelia dance performance by Mexican dancers who had received training in India. Their energetic movements and colourful costumes showcased the vibrant folk traditions of Rajasthan while demonstrating the growing interest in Indian performing arts among Mexican artists.
Students of FES Aragón also presented a saree showcase, highlighting India’s rich textile heritage, including its diverse designs, colours, craftsmanship and traditional weaving practices.
Screening of Gangubai Kathiawadi
The festival concluded with a screening of the acclaimed Hindi-language film Gangubai Kathiawadi, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Alia Bhatt.
The screening gave students and university community members an opportunity to experience contemporary Indian cinema and explore its storytelling, performances and cultural context.
By combining film with live performances and traditional attire, the festival offered participants a broader understanding of India’s creative industries and cultural diversity.
India and Mexico Explore Academic Cooperation
Alongside the cultural programme on September 3, 2026, Deputy Chief of Mission Deepti Ganji held a meeting with Professor Manuel Silva Sánchez and senior representatives of FES Aragón to discuss opportunities for stronger academic and cultural cooperation between India and Mexico.
Discussions covered greater engagement between universities and higher education institutions in both countries, including academic exchanges, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, sharing of expertise, cultural collaboration and potential institutional partnerships.
The two sides also explored the possibility of establishing formal partnerships and signing Memoranda of Understanding between Indian and Mexican universities.
Such initiatives could create additional opportunities for students, academics and researchers to collaborate, exchange knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of each country’s educational and cultural landscape.
Cultural Diplomacy Strengthens Bilateral Relations
The enthusiastic participation of students and other members of the university community reflected the interest in Indian cinema and culture among young audiences in Mexico.
The Indian Film Festival at FES Aragón, held on September 3, 2026, demonstrated how cinema, music, dance, yoga and traditional crafts can serve as effective platforms for cultural diplomacy, encouraging people-to-people connections beyond formal diplomatic engagement.
For India and Mexico, both countries with distinctive film industries and rich artistic traditions, such cultural initiatives offer opportunities to build stronger connections between creative communities, universities and younger generations.
The festival marked another step towards expanding India’s cultural presence in Mexico while opening avenues for deeper academic engagement and institutional cooperation between the two countries.
