by FilmInk Staff
Celebrating Indian cinema, diversity and stories that matter
Legendary Indian superstar Rekha, dubbed the Sophia Loren of India, will be in Melbourne to hoist the Indian National Flag on India’s Independence Day and be honoured with the Excellence in Cinema Award as a guest of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) which takes place from 13th to 23rd August and is the largest celebration of Indian cinema held outside India.
Rekha is one of a remarkable roll call of Indian stars attending this year’s festival. Also confirmed are two of India’s most iconic contemporary stars, actor producer Dulquer Salmaan and actor Pankaj Tripathi who join star guests Pankaj Tripathi, Kirti Kulhari, Malaika Arora, Rishab Shetty, and Rima Das.
The 2026 official guest of honour is Rani Mukherjee, one of India’s most respected and accomplished actors who will be conferred the prestigious Honorary Doctor of Letters by Latrobe University at a special ceremony at Federation Square on 14 August.
The 2026 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) will screen over 130 films in 38 languages, with the vast majority screening for the first time to Australian audiences. Now in its 17th edition and proudly backed by the Victorian Government, IFFM will bring a bold and diverse selection of stories to screens across Melbourne and regional Victoria, celebrating the richness and diversity of Indian and South Asian cinema, and bringing together regional voices, independent storytellers, and mainstream cinema to audiences. Forty percent of this year’s films are directed by women.
“At IFFM we believe that great storytelling transcends language, geography and identity. This year’s films reflect the incredible creative diversity shaping Indian cinema today from women filmmakers breaking new ground to powerful women-led narratives, queer stories that deserve to be seen and celebrated, and films representing the rich linguistic tapestry of our region.” Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange
IFFM KEY DATES AND EVENTS
THE NAB IFFM AWARDS – 13 August, Palais Theatre, 530pm – 6.30pm red carpet
15 women, filmmakers, 17 women led films and narratives, six queer stories and works spanning nice languages have been nominated for this year’s star studded IFFM Awards event at Palais Theatre with many of the nominees in attendance. The nominees reaffirm IFFM’s position as one of the world’s most inclusive and representative platforms for Indian and South Asian screen content. Together, the nominated films represent nine languages, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi, English and Nepalese, showcasing the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of contemporary Indian and South Asian cinema.
Opening Night – 14 August, Hoyts Dockland 7pm
IFFM will open with the Australian Premiere of MEMBERS OF THE PROBLEMATIC FAMILY,(Tamil) which arrives direct from its World Premiere in the Forum section of the 2026 Berlinale. Set over a 16-day funeral in rural Tamil Nadu, the film begins with the mysterious death of a troubled young man and unfolds through the lives of his sprawling family as they grapple with grief, anger, ritual, and unresolved tensions. Director R Gowtham will be in attendance.
This will be followed by a special screening of UMRAO JAAN, with the film’s star and very special guest Rekha and the film’s director Muzaffar Ali, in attendance.
Closing Night – 23 August, Village Crown Cinemas, 6.30pm
The Festival will close with FULL PLATE, the new feature from Tannishtha Chatterjee. Amreen had been a homemaker for 18 years until a freak accident during Holi left her husband, Imtiaz crippled for life. Challenged with the responsibility to run the house and educate three kids, Amreen must find a way to earn a living. With her neighbour, Sarita, a skilled cook, away for two months, Amreen jumps at the opportunity despite her husband’s unwillingness. But her Muslim identity becomes a major obstacle. Director Tannishtha Chatterjee and the film’s star Kirti Kulhari will both be in attendance.
Centrepiece Spotlight – 19 August, Hoyts District Docklands, 6pm
This year’s Centrepiece film is the Australian Premiere of NOT A HERO, by acclaimed director Rima Das who also wrote the screenplay. The film won the Crystal Bear Special Mention at his year’s Berlinale. We are delighted to confirm that Rima Daswill be a special guest at this year’s Festival.
Changing The Narrative: Indian and Australian Indigenous filmmakers speak – The Wheeler Centre, 22 August, 2pm
A special highlight of this year’s Festival is an exciting package of seven Indian Indigenous films that will delight with their original storytelling and solid, modern craftsmanship. This will be accompanied by a special panel ‘Cinema From the Margins’ a discussion between Tiriki Onus,a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurring filmmaker, performer and Head of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development, Australia, and Theja Rion, Naga filmmaker from the Angami tribe in North East India, who studied at the National Film and Television School, London, and whose debut feature film will be screening at TIFF this year.
Special Events
Flag Hoisting Ceremony – Federation Square, Saturday 15 August, 1030am for 11am
A cherished IFFM tradition marking India’s Independence Day, the annual Flag Hoisting Ceremony will take place on Saturday 15 August at Federation Square. Led by the legendary star, Rekha, this highly anticipated event brings together film fans, families and the broader community to celebrate Indian culture and cinema with music, dance and national pride.
Remitly IFFM Dance Competition – Federation Square, Saturday 15 August ,12pm
Immediately following the flag hoisting, Federation Square will erupt into colour and movement with the Remitly IFFM Dance Competition – a high-energy public event that celebrates choreography, creativity and cultural fusion. Festival judge is Malaika Arora
IFFM Pride Day – 21 August
A dedicated day of screenings and celebrations amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices in Indian cinema.
IFFM Regional Rhapsody – 22 & 23 August
IFFM takes a curated selection of program highlights to regional Victoria, with screenings in Geelong, Bendigo and Shepparton – expanding access to Indian cinema and connecting communities across the state.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne takes place from 13 – 23 August at the following venues:
Melbourne: HOYTS District Docklands, HOYTS Highpoint, HOYTS Chadstone, Village Crown Cinema, Village Sunshine, Village Knox
Regional Victoria: Village Cinemas Geelong, Bendigo and Shepparton
Tickets and more information are available at: iffm.com.au
