A Wonderful Celebration of Cinema, Culture & Community

Bollywood Festival Norway 2026 brought together cinema, music, art and cultural exchange across Lørenskog, Oslo and Lillestrøm from 4–11 September. The festival opened at Lørenskog Kino with a special evening featuring Mika Singh and his team, welcoming audiences into a week-long celebration of Indian cinema and culture. The opening also featured a performance by Natarang dancers from Poland, followed by a special recognition for Mika Singh, who received the Bollywood Festival Norway 2026 Award for Best Singer.

Throughout the festival, audiences experienced a diverse programme of artistic and commercial films, filmmaker interactions, cultural performances, poetry and music. The festival continued its commitment to creating a platform for filmmakers and bringing Indian, Iranian and Asian cinema to audiences in Norway.

One of the biggest community highlights was Children’s Day, which welcomed more than 1,000 children and adults for a day of free activities, food, entertainment, creative workshops and family experiences. The initiative reflects the festival’s commitment to making culture accessible to the wider local community and creating opportunities for children and families to experience different cultures together.

The festival also presented a vibrant Mushaira and poetry evening, bringing together poets and audiences around Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi poetry, alongside a screening of the documentary Sola. Another memorable highlight was the Sufi Qawali Night in Lillestrøm, featuring the Nizami Brothers from New Delhi and performances celebrating the music of the late Asha Bhosle. The evening brought together audiences for a memorable celebration of Indian music and culture.

The festival also created space for meaningful conversations, including a panel discussion on women and the challenges they face in today’s world, alongside filmmaker and audience interactions around the films presented.

The 2026 edition concluded at Klingenberg Kino in Oslo with a special screening of the Norwegian TV drama De Syv Søstre, with members of the cast and director meeting audiences.

A Festival Built on Diversity 

From films and filmmakers to music, poetry, dance and community celebrations, Bollywood Festival Norway continues to build a platform for cultural diversity and international storytelling in Norway. The 2026 festival brought together audiences, artists, filmmakers, cultural partners and volunteers in a shared celebration of cinema and culture — continuing the festival’s vision of making diverse cinema accessible to the community. 

Thank you to all our audiences, artists, filmmakers, partners, supporters and volunteers who made Bollywood Festival Norway 2026 possible.