Australia gears up for its first national Indian film festival

A groundbreaking celebration of Indian cinema

The cinematic landscape of Australia is about to undergo a significant transformation. The Australian Centre for Indian Cinema is gearing up to launch the National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA), slated to run from February 13-16, 2025. This event marks an unprecedented, nationwide celebration of Indian cinema, uniting diverse audiences across seven major cities.

Strategic partnerships and leadership

The festival has secured robust partnerships with notable entities such as exhibitor Dendy Cinemas, Indian media giant NDTV, and cinema advertising firm Val Morgan. The initiative is led by acclaimed filmmaker Anupam Sharma, with industry veteran Peter Castaldi stepping in as the festival director. Their combined expertise is expected to steer NIFFA towards becoming a landmark event in the global film festival circuit.

A tour of seven cities

For four days, NIFFA will transform Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Darwin, and Hobart into hubs of Indian cinematic brilliance. One city among these will be chosen to host the grand opening night festivities, which promise to be a confluence of cultural exchange and movie magic. In addition to screenings, workshops, and panels focusing on investment opportunities and co-production development will engage and enlighten attendees.

NIFFA aims to foster collaboration between the Australian and Indian film industries, a vision reflected in the ratified Australia-India co-production treaty of 2023. The festival also plans to introduce development grants for Australia-India screen content, with more details set to be unveiled in November.

Expanding horizons and securing support

The festival’s ambitious framework has garnered support from Indian film distributors across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, including Forum Films. In November, significant announcements, including additional partnerships and detailed programming, will be made at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa, where Australia is the focus country. Anticipation is building, with the complete festival program scheduled for release on January 6, 2025.

A rich legacy and promising future

While NIFFA represents a new chapter in Australia’s cinematic journey, the established Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, now in its fifteenth year, continues to thrive independently. Both festivals highlight the growing appetite for Indian cinema in Australia and the increasing cultural exchanges between the two nations.

Spotlight on “Khwaabon Ka Jhamela”

In the realm of new Indian cinema, Jio Studios and Baweja Studios are teaming up for “Khwaabon Ka Jhamela,” a romantic comedy set to premiere on JioCinema on November 8. Directed by Danish Aslam of “Break Ke Baad” fame, the film stars Prateik Babbar, Sayani Gupta, and Kubbra Sait.

Shot across vibrant locales in India and the UK, the story revolves around Zubin, a numbers genius who struggles with romance. His life takes a turn when he encounters Ruby, an intimacy coordinator, leading to unexpected developments. This engaging narrative promises a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Pammi Baweja, Harman Baweja, and Vicky Bahri.

“Khwaabon Ka Jhamela” marks the second collaboration between Jio Studios and Baweja Studios after their success with “Mrs.” starring Sanya Malhotra. Their continued partnership highlights a shared vision for creating compelling and relatable cinema.

The National Indian Film Festival of Australia is poised to be a landmark event, bridging cultural gaps and celebrating the vibrancy of Indian cinema on an international stage. Stay tuned for more updates and follow our platform for the latest in film news and festival coverage.