Chennai: The India-ASEAN Film Festival 2025, celebrating the India-ASEAN Year of Tourism under Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN, was inaugurated on Thursday at Avichi College of Arts and Science, Virugambakkam.

The three-day festival, open to select audiences till October 18, is jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Consulate General of Malaysia in Chennai, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), and India Tourism. It features films from India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Asian cinema.

H.E. Mr. Saravanakumar, Consul General of Malaysia, inaugurated the festival in the presence of Mr. Vijayakumar, Head of Branch Secretariat, MEA, Chennai, and Ambassador (Retd.) B.R. Muthukumar. The event was also attended by the Consuls General of Singapore and Thailand, and the Honorary Consuls of Myanmar and the Philippines.

In his address, Mr. Saravanakumar said this was the first India-ASEAN Film Festival to be held in Chennai, aimed at strengthening cultural and cinematic ties. He noted that the upcoming India-ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur later this month would further deepen regional collaboration.

Mr. Vijayakumar highlighted India's growing prominence as a hub for international filmmaking and encouraged ASEAN filmmakers to explore collaborative opportunities in film production and tourism.

Ambassador Muthukumar, the Guest of Honour, shared insights on cultural diplomacy through cinema, underscoring film's power to foster people-to-people connections across borders.