Bindis, Samosas and The Indian Diaspora

Today kicks off the Fourth Annual IAAC Film Festival: The Indian Diaspora being held at Walter Reade theater in Lincoln Center and at Anthology Film Archives running through this weekend. Highlighting films "made by, about or featuring persons of Indian origin," the series celebrates the wealth of experience and cultural contributions made by Indians living outside of India.

If you've ever wandered past the Indian delis on Second Avenue glancing at the intriguing posters for intricate Bollywood productions, here's a chance to see some of the dramas, shorts and musicals being made by Indian filmmakers like Mira Nair, Sridhar Reddy, Bappaditya Roy and Gurinder Chadha.

Chadha, who directed the adorable international hit Bend It Like Beckham, brings her newest film to the opening night of the festival this evening. Bride and Prejudice takes the classic Jane Austen story and sets it in India, London and America using Bollywood stars like Aishwarya Rai (pictured) with Hollywood actors, such as Martin Henderson.

Tickets for all screenings, except the opening night festivities, cost $15 and are available through Smarttix or at the box office.