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The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is a
Victoria State Government The Victoria State Government, also referred to as just the Victorian Government, is the state-level authority for Victoria, Australia. Like all state governments, it is formed by three independent branches: the executive, the judicial, and th ...
-funded annual festival based in
Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
founded in 2012. It is presented by
Film Victoria VicScreen, formerly known as Film Victoria, is the Victoria State Government, Victorian Government’s creative and economic screen development agency. They function behind the scenes, supporting professionals, infrastructure, projects and ev ...
, and the provider is chosen through a tender process. The current tender provider is Mind Blowing Films, run by Mitu Bhowmick Lange who is the Festival Director of IFFM. The festival has currently been provided with State Government funding until 2018. The goal of the film festival is to showcase Indian cinema to the Australian audience. The festival has streamed Bollywood films, Indie movies, documentaries, regional cinema from India etc. It also organizes short film competitions, dance competitions and a flag hoisting ceremony since it is during the time of Indian Independence day celebrations in Melbourne.


History

The festival was founded in 2012 by the
State Government of Victoria The Victoria State Government, also referred to as just the Victorian Government, is the state-level authority for Victoria, Australia. Like all state governments, it is formed by three independent branches: the executive, the judicial, and th ...
. It was result of the
Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division) The Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division), branded as Liberal Victoria, and commonly known as the Victorian Liberals, is the state division of the Liberal Party of Australia in Victoria. It was formed in 1949 as the Liberal and Count ...
’s policy "to strengthen Victoria's ties with the Indian film industries". The policy was first released in October 2006, was funded in November 2010, and implemented in March 2012 through a tender process. Mind Blowing Films, owned by Mitu Bhowmick Lange, won the tender in March 2012 for three years until 2014, and was given one year extensions by the Liberal National Coalition Government for 2015 and 2016. In May 2012,
The Sydney Morning Herald ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily compact newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and owned by Nine. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuously published newspaper ...
reported that the company behind the Festival was recycling films already released, and so appeared to be using government money to rebadge a festival it had already been running as a commercial enterprise. In August 2017,
South India South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territo ...
n film actress/producer
Khushbu Khushbu Sundar (born Nakhat Khan; 29 September 1970) is an Indian actress, politician, film producer and television presenter. She is known for her works predominantly in Tamil, besides Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada films. She is a rec ...
accused the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne of discriminating against non-
Hindi Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been de ...
films and film stars. Mitu Bhowmick Lange responded with "I am very surprised to be honest because we have 60 films in 20 languages. The film festival has always always been about diversity," stating that some of the South Indian actors invited had not been able to attend due to busy schedules. Mind Blowing Films was again awarded the contract for 2017 and 2018 by the new State Government in November 2016. The film festival also facilitated a film project ‘My Melbourne’ where India's notable film makers worked with Victorian filmmakers to create short films on race, disability, sexuality, and gender.


Telstra People's Choice Award

This award is given at the Festival for Outstanding Achievement of an Indian film in terms of
box office A box office or ticket office is a place where ticket (admission), tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through a hole in a wall or window, or at a Wicket gate, wicke ...
revenue and critical appreciation for an
Indian film The Cinema of India consists of motion pictures produced in India, which had a large effect on world cinema since the late 20th century. Major centers of film production across the country include Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Ko ...
released in that year. The award was instituted in 2014.


Recipients


2012

In 2012, the IFFM  curated and showed 40 films modern Indian cinema, Bengali films and popular Indian films.


2013

IFFM in 2013 consisted of Bollywood dance competition. The festival went on for 20 days on 5 screens in Melbourne and opened with India's first silent film ‘Raja Harish Chandra’ accompanied by a live band playing the background score along with the colored ‘Mughal-E-Azam’. Some of the more contemporary films included Bombay Talkies, Sholay and Talaash.  Some of the guests included Pamela Chopra, Vidya Balan Prabhudeva, Farah Khan, Simi Garewal, Kabir Khan, Onir; and Avtar Panesar.


2014

IFFM International Screen Icon Award : Amitabh Bachchan (attended in person) Best Film : Bhaag Milkha Bhaag Best Indie Film : The Lunchbox Telstra's People's Choice Award : Dhoom 3 Best Actress : Kangna Ranaut for Queen Best Actor : Farhan Akhtar for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Irfan Khan for The Lunchbox Special Jury Commendation : Anand Gandhi for The Ship of Theseus Wester Union Best Director : Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra


2015

In 2015, IFFM was a two weeks festival and had a theme of equality. The festival also incorporated interactive master classes, Awards Night, short film competition and Bollywood dance competition. Indian Independence day celebrations were included in IFFM from this year onwards. The festival was launched by Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley with Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. The winners were awarded at National Gallery of Victoria. Other guests included Rajkumar Hirani, Simi Garewal, Imran Khan, Shonali Bose, Nagesh Kukunoor and Elahé Hiptoola. IIFM Award for Cinematic Excellence : Anil Kapoor, Best Film: Piku Best Director: Shoojit Sircar for Piku Best Indie Film: Kaaka Muttai ( Crows Eggs) Telstra's People Choice Award: PK Western Union Short Film Award: Rape- It's Your Fault (India) and Road to Grand Final (Aus) Best Actor : Irrfan Khan for Piku and Shahid Kapoor for Haider Best Actress: Bhumi Padnekar for Dum Lagake Haisha


2016

The IFFM in 2016 opened with film parched and closed with Angry Indian Goddesses. The festival also included panel discussions about women in cinema and had guests Sue Maslin, Leena Yadav and Richa Chadha, who gave a master class on Bollywood and body positivity Westpac Excellence In Cinema Award: Rishi Kapoor Telstra Best Film: Kapoor & Sons Westpac Best Indie Film Award: Parched Westpac Best Director Award: Leena Yadav Best Actor: Nawazuddin Siddiqi for Raman Ragav 2.0 Best Actress: Sonam Kapoor for Neerja Western Union Short Film Festival Best Film Award: Josh Walker for Out on a Lim.


2017

The Westpac IFFM Excellence in Global Cinema Award: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Best Indie Film: Lipstick Under My Burkha Best Director: Nitesh Tiwari for Dangal Equality in Cinema Award: Director/Actor Rahul Bose for Poorna Best Actress : Konkona Sen Sharma for Lipstick Under my Burkha Best Actor : Sushant Singh Rajput for
Dhoni Mahendra Singh Dhoni (; born 7 July 1981) is an Indian former international cricketer who was captain of the Indian national cricket team in limited-overs formats from 2007 to 2017 and in Test cricket from 2008 to 2014. He is also the curren ...
Best Actor (Special Mention) : Raj Kumar Rao for Trapped, Best Film : Pin People's Choice Award : Dangal & Bahubali 2, Leadership in cinema:
Karan Johar Karan Johar (born Rahul Kumar Johar; 25 May 1972), often informally referred to as KJo in the Hindi Film Industry, is an Indian filmmaker and television personality, who primarily works in Hindi cinema. He has launched the careers of several s ...


2019

IFFM 2019 was organized at Palais Theatre. Guests included Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Tabu, Sriram Raghavan, Malaika Arora and Arjun Kapoor. IFFM in 2019 was hosted by Karan Tacker. 2019 Award: Best Short Film - Be my Brother, My name is Mohamad and Ragdad, We don't exist here anymore Best Actor - Vijay Sethupathi for Super Deluxe Best Actress - Tabu for Andhadhun Best Director - Sriram Raghavan for Andhadhun Best Film - Gully Boy Best Indie Film - Bulbul Can Sing IFFM Diversity Award: Onir Telstra People's Choice Award: Simmba PWC Equality in Cinema award an honorary award: Chuksit and Super Deluxe IFFM Excellence in Cinema: Shah Rukh Khan


2020

The festival in 2020 was delayed from its usual time in August to October because the pandemic. It included approximately 50 films in 17 languages.


2021

The 2021 IFFM had 127 films in 27 languages including films by 34 film directors. Best Feature Film:
Soorarai Pottru ''Soorarai Pottru'' () is a 2020 Indian Tamil-language drama film that was written and directed by Sudha Kongara, and produced by Suriya, Jyothika and Guneet Monga. Kongara and Shalini Usha Nair wrote the screenplay; Aalif Surti and Ganeshaa p ...
Best Performance Male (Feature): Suriya Sivakumar (Soorarai Pottru) Best Performance Female (Feature):
Vidya Balan Vidya Balan (pronounced ; born 1 January 1979) is an Indian actress. Known for pioneering a change in the portrayal of women in Hindi cinema with her roles in female-led films, she is the recipient of several awards, including a National Fi ...
( Sherni) & Honourable mention to
Nimisha Sajayan Nimisha Sajayan (born 4 January 1997) is an Indian actress in the Malayalam film industry. Nimisha made her acting debut with the film '' Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum'' directed by Dileesh Pothan. She won the Kerala State Film Award for Best A ...
(
The Great Indian Kitchen ''The Great Indian Kitchen'' is a 2021 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Jeo Baby. The film tells the story of a newly wed woman (Nimisha Sajayan) who struggles to be the submissive wife that her husband ( Suraj Venja ...
) Best Director:
Anurag Basu Anurag Basu (born 8 May 1974) is an Indian director, screenwriter, actor and producer. He began his directing career in television, moving to feature films in 2002. Basu achieved initial success with his films tackling the themes of passion and ...
( Ludo) & Honorary Mention Prithvi Konanur (Pinki Elli?) Best Series:
Mirzapur Mirzapur () is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India, 827 km from Delhi and 733 km from Kolkata, almost 91 km from Prayagraj (formally known as Allahabad) and 61 km from Varanasi. It is known for its carpets and brassware industries, and the folk ...
Season 2 Best Actress in a Series:
Samantha Ruth Prabhu Samantha Ruth Prabhu (formerly: Samantha Akkineni; born 28 April 1987) is an Indian actress who mainly works in Telugu and Tamil film industries. She is a recipient of several awards, including four South Filmfare Awards, six South Indian I ...
(
The Family Man ''The Family Man'' is a 2000 American romantic fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Brett Ratner, from a screenplay by David Diamond and David Weissman. The film stars Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni, with Don Cheadle, Saul Rubinek, and Jeremy ...
2) Best Actor in a Series:
Manoj Bajpayee Manoj Bajpayee (born 23 April 1969), also transliterated as Manoj Bajpai, is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Hindi cinema and has also done Telugu and Tamil language films. Regarded as one of the finest actors of Hindi cinema, he i ...
(The Family Man 2) Equality in Cinema (Short Film): Sheer Qorma Equality in Cinema Award (Feature Film): The Great Indian Kitchen Best Indie Film: Fire in the Mountains Diversity in Cinema Award:
Pankaj Tripathi Pankaj Tripathi (Birth name, né Tiwari; born 5 September 1976) is an Indian actor who works in Hindi cinema and has also appeared in Telugu cinema, Telugu and Tamil cinema, Tamil language films. Tripathi has established himself as one of the n ...
Disruptor Award:
Sanal Kumar Sasidharan Sanal Kumar Sasidharan (born 8 April 1977) is an Indian poet, lawyer, and filmmaker. Personal life Sanal Kumar Sasidharan was born in Perumkadavila village, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala on 8 April 1977. He graduated in Zoology from VT ...
Best Documentary Film: Shut Up Sona


2022

The 2022 IFFM was held from 12 August to 30 August. * Best Feature Film: '' 83'' by Kabir Khan * Best Performance Male (Feature):
Ranveer Singh Ranveer Singh Bhavnani (; born 6 July 1985) is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films. The recipient of several awards, including five Filmfare Awards, he is among the highest-paid Indian actors and has been featured in '' Forbes India''s ...
for '' 83'' * Best Performance Female (Feature):
Shefali Shah Shefali Shah (born Shefali Shetty on 22 May 1973) is an Indian actress of film, television and theatre. Respected for her acting prowess, she works primarily in independent Hindi films and has received local and foreign accolades for her perf ...
for ''
Jalsa ''Jalsa'' () is a 2008 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas and produced by Allu Aravind, under the Geetha Arts banner starring Pawan Kalyan, Ileana, Parvati Melton, Kamalinee Mukerji, Mukesh R ...
'' * Best Director: Jointly won by
Shoojit Sircar Shoojit Sircar (born ) is an Indian filmmaker, director and producer known for his work in Hindi films. He has received several awards, including two National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award from five nominations. Sircar made his directoria ...
for ''
Sardar Udham ''Sardar Udham'' is a 2021 Indian Hindi-language biographical historical drama film directed by Shoojit Sircar, and produced by Rising Sun Films in collaboration with Kino Works. The screenplay is written by Shubhendu Bhattacharya and Rites ...
'' and
Aparna Sen Aparna Sen (, ''Ôporna Shen'') is an Indian film director, screenwriter and actress who is known for her work in Bengali cinema. She has received several accolades as an actress and filmmaker, including nine National Film Awards, five Filmf ...
for ''
The Rapist ''The Rapist'' is a 2021 Indian Hindi drama film written and directed by Aparna Sen. A Quest Films Pvt. Ltd. production, produced under the banner of Applause Entertainment, stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Arjun Rampal and Tanmay Dhanania. The film c ...
'' * Best Series: ''
Mumbai Diaries 26/11 ''Mumbai Diaries 26/11'' is an Indian Hindi-language medical drama streaming television series on Amazon Prime Video. The series was created and directed by Nikkhil Advani, along with Nikhil Gonsalves. The filming of the series took place in ...
'' by Nikkhil Advani * Best Actress in a Series:
Sakshi Tanwar Sakshi Tanwar is an Indian actress and television presenter. Early life Tanwar was born in 1972 or 1973 to Rajendra Singh Tanwar, a retired CBI officer, in a middle-class Rajput family from Alwar, Rajasthan, India. She was educated in many Ken ...
for '' MAI'' * Best Actor in a Series:
Mohit Raina Mohit Raina (born 14 August 1982) is an Indian actor who appears in Hindi films and television. He started his acting career with a science fiction show ''Antariksh'' (2004) and later went on to play a role in '' Don Muthu Swami'' (2008). He ...
for ''
Mumbai Diaries 26/11 ''Mumbai Diaries 26/11'' is an Indian Hindi-language medical drama streaming television series on Amazon Prime Video. The series was created and directed by Nikkhil Advani, along with Nikhil Gonsalves. The filming of the series took place in ...
'' * Equality in Cinema Award (Feature Film): The team of Jalsa directed by Suresh Triveni * Best Indie Film: ''Jaggi'' by Anmol Sidhu (Punjabi) * Best Film from the Subcontinent: '' Joyland'' * Disruptor Award:
Vaani Kapoor Vaani Kapoor (born 23 August 1988) is an Indian actress known for her work in Hindi films. She made her film debut with the 2013 romantic comedy ''Shuddh Desi Romance'', a critical and commercial success, which earned her the Filmfare Award f ...
for ''
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui ''Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui'' () is a 2021 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film directed by Abhishek Kapoor. It stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Vaani Kapoor and was released theatrically on 10 December 2021 to positive response from the crit ...
'' * Best Documentary Film: ''
A Night of Knowing Nothing ''A Night of Knowing Nothing'' is a documentary film, directed by Payal Kapadia and released in 2021. An exploration of university student life in India, the film centres on letters written by L., a student at the Film and Television Institute ...
'' by Payal Kapadia * Lifetime Achievement Award -
Kapil Dev Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj (Pronunciation: əpiːl deːʋ born 6 January 1959) is an Indian former cricketer. He was a fast-medium bowler and a hard-hitting middle-order batsman, and was named by ''Wisden'' as the Indian Cricketer of the Centu ...
* Leadership in Cinema Award -
Abhishek Bachchan Abhishek Bachchan (born 5 February 1976) is an Indian actor and film producer known for his work in Hindi films. Part of the Bachchan family, he is the son of actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and the grandson of poet Harivansh Rai Bach ...
* Special screening of Ayena at Hoyts Melbourne Central followed by a Q & A session with Actor Ritu Saini, Faraha Khan and Director Nilanjan Bhattacharya on 15th Aug. * Special screening of No Land's Man at Hoyts Melbourne Central followed by a Q & A session with Actor Megan Mitchell on 16th Aug * Special screening of Jaggi at Hoyts Highpoint followed by a Q & A session with Director Anmol Sidhu, Actor Ramnish Chaudhary, Producer Dhruv Bakshi and co-producer & DOP Pradeep Kumar Mannan on 17th Aug * Special screening of Shut Up Sona at Hoyts Highpoint followed by a Q & A session with Sona Mohapatra & World Premiere of Maali (Gardener) at Hoyts Melbourne Central followed by a Q & A session with the producer Pragya Kapoor, Sonali Rana and Director Shiv C. Shetty on 18th Aug * Special screening of Joyland at Hoyts Melbourne Central followed by a Q & A session with director Sain Sadiq, Producer Apoorva Guru Charan, Actor Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan and Ali Junejo on 19th and World Premiere of Paraasakthi at Hoyts District Docklands followed by a Q&A session with Producer Apoorva Bakshi on 19th aug * 20 August, IFFM Closing Night Film at Hoyts District Docklands, Melbourne: The Rapist followed by Q&A session with the director Aparna Sen on Zoom


Notes


References

{{Reflist Film festivals in Melbourne Telstra People's Choice Award winners