Welcome to the 2017 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, the southern hemisphere's largest annual celebration of cinema from India and the sub-continent.

Here in Victoria, we are proud of our diversity and proud of our cultural richness. That pride is reflected in this year’s IFFM program, which champions a diverse range of stories and perspectives, and demonstrates the power of film in bringing communities and cultures together.

This year, more than 35,000 people are expected to attend the Festival, enjoying film screenings, events, masterclasses and the very popular Bollywood Dance Competition.

The Victorian Government is very proud to support this event, and I hope you enjoy this celebration of creativity, culture and some of the world’s best cinema.