The 15th Annual Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 program is now live
The 15th annual Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is excited to announce the full program is now live.
The 15th annual Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is excited to announce the full program is now live. Some of the biggest names in Indian cinema are set to attend the festival, with several exciting premieres for audiences to delve into, along with star-studded events and screenings.
This year’s IFFM will screen over 65 films, including 20 films by female directors, many of which showcase films challenging the status quo with strong and powerful voices, telling confronting stories. The films feature 26 different languages, some of which are extremely rare and not widely spoken. Audiences can also expect six world premieres.
The IFFM Opening Night will screen the world premiere of My Melbourne, directed by four iconic Indian filmmakers - Onir, Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, and Kabir Khan, and filmed entirely in Melbourne. All four directors and key cast and crew will attend the Opening Night My Melbourne features four unique diverse stories based on true incidents themed around the four pillars of diversity - sexuality, gender, disability, and race. Opening Night is set to launch the Festival with a bang, celebrating Indian cinema in a uniquely Melbourne way.
Some of India’s biggest stars are set to descend in Melbourne for the Festival, including award-winning actress Rani Mukerji who first shot to fame in the blockbuster Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and has enjoyed countless successes since Also headed to Melbourne is revered filmmaker Karan Johar who has launched the careers of several successful actors and filmmakers under his company Dharma Productions and has directed many award-winning films, including the smash hit Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001). Johar will attend the IFFM Awards Night on 16 August at the Palais Theatre, a coveted night on Melbourne’s cultural calendar which continues to be a star-studded celebration of the best in Indian cinema.
One of the most successful filmmakers in India, director Rajkumar Hirani will be attending the IFFM Awards Night and IFFM Chats. Hirani’s coming-of-age comedy-drama 3 Idiots (2009) was the highest grossing Indian film of its time.
IFFM Festival Director, Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM, said: “Our 15 th annual IFFM will showcase so many important voices from India, telling poignant stories of human rights, identity and family, to love, loneliness and coming of age. We’re thrilled to see a huge increase in the number of female filmmakers who are pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes. The Festival is set to see many Indian celebrities head to Melbourne for this annual celebration of the best in Indian cinema and we can’t wait to share important stories with our audiences.”
Some of the many program highlights include the world premiere screening of Little Thomas, directed by Kuashal Oza, which tells the story of seven-year-old Thomas who desperately wants a little brother and the ups and downs of family life.
The world premieres continue with The Zebras - Dark Start, directed by Aneek Chaudhuri. The Zebras is the tale of a documentary photographer in Kolkata who manhandles AI and creates virtual monsters in the city of joy.
Manorajyam directed by Rasheed Parakkal will also make its world premiere with the story of Manu Keraleeyan, a Melbourne businessman who falls for a Malayali girl. His friend Bluetooth Ravi flirts online, while another friend's wife elopes with a guy she met online. Testing his wife's loyalty triggers a chain reaction that transforms his life.
Audiences can also watch a screening of Wild Swans, directed and written by female filmmaker Rajni Basumatary. Set in the foothills of Bodoland, Northeast India, the story follows Preeti, a doctoral student whose romanticised view of rural life shatters as she witnesses the impacts of militarization and patriarchy on women in a post-conflict society.
Grammy and Oscar Winner A.R. Rahman will attend the world premiere of the highly anticipated documentary Headhunting to Beatboxing: A Musical Renaissance.
Directed by Rohit Gupta and produced by A.R. Rahman, Headhunting to Beatboxing delves into the remarkable journey of the Naga tribe in Nagaland, India. This poignant documentary captures their inspiring transformation and showcases the profound impact of cultural and musical revival. Prior to the screening on 17 August, A.R. Rahman will participate in IFFM Chats held at The Edge in Federation Square.
The annual Remitly IFFM Dance Competition will take place on 17 August at Federation Square and the Festival is excited to reveal that Indian actress, dancer and model, Malaika Arora, will be judging the exciting competition. Arora has wowed audiences for more than twenty years. She is a true icon who continues to captivate audiences with her charm, talent, and remarkable journey in Indian cinema.
Canadian dancer, model and actress Nora Fatehi, will be the guest judge at the Remitly IFFM Dance Competition. Fatehi has carved her path in the world of entertainment with an impressive journey marked by versatility and dynamism, she continues to push boundaries and inspire with her unparalleled energy and dedication to her craft.
Lakshya, known for his versatile roles in television and cinema, continues to impress audiences with his dynamic performances and will also be the guest judge at Remitly IFFM Dance Competition. He made a notable debut in the action thriller "Kill" (2023), premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. In "Kill," Lakshya impressed as Amrit, a resilient army officer battling dacoits on a speeding train. With his upcoming project, the streaming series "Stardom" created by Aryan Khan, Lakshya is set to further inspire with his dedication and passion for his craft.
The IFFM Regional Rapsody Program will kick off on 24 August where audiences can see the likes of Mrs, directed by Arati Kadav. The film stars Sanya Malhotra in the title role, along with Kanwaljit Singh and Nishant Dahiya, and delves into the complex portrayal of a woman who is a trained dancer and dance teacher; but after marriage has to navigate the challenges of being a wife, as she tries to discover her own path and find her voice and identity to express herself freely. Malhotra walked away with the Best Actress award at the 2024 New York Indian Film Festival for her performance in the film. Both Malhotra and Kadav will head to Victoria for this screening.
The Regional Rapsody Program will also screen Padatik, directed by Srjit Mukerji, which tells the story of Mrinal Sen's journey from his struggling early days as an idealistic filmmaker during India's independence to his pivotal role in the Indian New Wave cinema movement in 1950s Calcutta, working alongside Satyajit Ray.
The IFFM Closing Night celebrations on 25 August will screen Girls Will Be Girls, by female director Shuchi Talati. This story follows 16-year-old Mira, whose rebellious coming of age is disrupted by her young mother who never got to come of age herself. This film played at Sundance Film Festival 2024.
The 15 th annual Indian Film Festival is set to be a jam-packed program of fabulous events to choose from, with several stars from India in attendance to meet fans and celebrate the best of Indian cinema.
For media enquiries please contact, Payal Lakhotia: payal@mindblowingfilms.com M 046 877 7012
