| Message from The Premier of Victoria |
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It gives me great pleasure to present to you, on behalf
of the Victorian Government, the Indian Film Festival of
Melbourne.
The festival delivers on our government’s election
pledge to develop an Indian film festival and bring the
best of Indian cinema to Victorian audiences and screen
practitioners.
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The Victorian Government is committed to strengthening
ties between Victoria and India and celebrating our
cultural and artistic diversity, as well as developing a
greater understanding of each other’s screen industry.
Films such as Salaam Namaste, Chak de! India and Orange were all filmed in Melbourne and went on to
become worldwide box office hits.
Having visited India myself earlier this year, I am pleased that we are able to bring
to Victorian audiences the vibrancy of Bollywood visual delights that I was able to
experience firsthand.
With a 10 day festival program packed with more than 35 films and activities, this is
a great opportunity for Victorians to enjoy a unique film experience showcasing the
extraordinary depth and diversity of the Indian film industry. I am especially pleased that
the festival will also screen several films
featuring our very own Festival Ambassador,
Vidya Balan – winner of India’s National Film
Award for Best Actress in 2011.
India has one of the largest film industries in
the world and offers immense opportunities,
for Victorian audiences as well as for our
screen industry. We look forward to forging
stronger relationships through co-production
projects that build on our State’s strengths in
the creative arts.
I take this opportunity to welcome our Indian
guests to Melbourne and I look forward to
Victorian audiences enjoying the diversity and
cultural breadth of Indian cinema during thefestival.
Hon. Ted Baillieu MLA
Premier of Victoria
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Premier of Victoria
Minister of Innovation
Festival Director
FESTIVAL AMBASSADOR
the Lord Mayor
