Salesian Father Joseph Pulinthanath is the director of "Yarwng," (Roots). The film focuses on India's tribal inhabitants and the indigenous Kokborok language, revolving around the large-scale displacement that happened in Tripura, when the newly built Dumbur Dam submerged vast regions of arable land in the Raima Valley in the late 1970s.

Yarwng has already been in 20 international film festivals within India. In addition to the New York premiere, the film will hit Australia and Europe in July.

"Yarwng," released in September 2008, is a 95-minute film made in the tribal language Kokborok, with English subtitles.

Father Pulinthanath's first film, "Mathia" (The Bangle), was about the practice of witch hunts, still prevalent in Tripura.