Welcome to the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne – the biggest, boldest annual celebration of Indian cinema anywhere outside India, staged right here in the nation’s capital of arts and culture.

You couldn’t find a better home for this fantastic festival that showcases a diverse range of stories, shares the richness and diversity of Indian culture, and brings some of Indian cinema’s brightest stars to town.

We love our Indian community in Melbourne – a vibrant and vital thread in the multicultural tapestry of our city. Since 2001, Melbourne’s Indian-born population has more than tripled, making it our third largest international ancestry group. Punjabi is now the fastest growing language in Melbourne, and more international students come to Australia from India than from any other country.

It’s no wonder Indian films are taking the Australian box office by storm. They’re now our third-largest market after American and British cinema with box office figures almost doubling over the past 4 years.

Congratulations to the filmmakers, actors, producers, directors, organisers and of course the inimitable Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM, Director of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

Jai Hind, Jai Melbourne!

Nicholas Reece
Lord Mayor