A nine-day celebration of Indian film and culture, featuring some of India’s biggest sporting and screen superstars, is descending on Victoria for the 2022 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
Now in its 13th year, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is the Southern Hemisphere's largest annual celebration of Indian cinema.
This year’s program includes more than 120 films, including documentaries and short films, showcasing the best of cinema from India and the subcontinent across a range of themes and genres.
Highlights include opening night thriller Dobaaraa, sports drama 83 about the 1983 cricket World Cup, and Ladies Only, a feminist portrait of modern urban women in Indian.
International guests include Bollywood actor and producer Abhishek Bachchan, acclaimed Indian actress Shefali Shah and Bollywood stars Taapsee Pannu, Tamannaah and Vaani Kapoor.
Festivities also include master classes, a Bollywood dance competition and a flag hoisting ceremony at Federation Square to celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day – while Sunday IFFM Awards at the Palais Theatre will see some of India’s biggest stars take to the red carpet.
The Victorian Government has backed the festival with $3 million in funding over the next three years – including $2.3 million in new funding from the 2022 budget.
The additional support will enable IFFM to expand its awards program, introduce year-round screenings through IFFM365 – while delivering the new My Melbourne initiative, a short film and mentoring initiative pairing local South Asian filmmakers with noted Indian film directors.
After being held online last year, IFFM 2022 returns as a hybrid festival with both in-person and online events, from August 12-30. For more information visit iffm.com.au.