The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) led a significant and diverse Australian screen delegation of screen leaders to the 56th Inte...
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) led a
significant and diverse Australian screen delegation of screen leaders to the
56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which is currently taking
place in Panjim, Goa till 28th November 2025. This marks an important new phase
where IFFM is spearheading expanded creative and institutional partnerships
between the two nations.
This historic moment was officially recognized on
November 21, when IFFM and IFFI signed a Memorandum of Understanding that
starts a three-year partnership between the Australian and Indian screen
industries.
Three MOUs were signed to shape a new era of
Indo-Australian screen collaboration in the presence of Lord Mayor Nicholas
Reece and Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, I&B Ministry of India, members of the
Indian and Australian film fraternity, and others.
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, said. “Australia has one
of the biggest Indian diasporas in the world, fuelling the growth of the local
Indian film sector. More Australians than ever before are embracing Indian
cinema and all its colour, passion and energy. This agreement will strengthen
the relationship between India and Melbourne, and create more local jobs, more
films and more global exposure in the Indian film industry”.
Mitu Bhowmick Lange, Festival Director of IFFM and
Founder of Mind Blowing Films, said, “India and Australia have enjoyed a long
and meaningful cultural connection, but what we are witnessing now is a truly
transformative moment for our screen industries with this exciting new
development. These new partnerships reflect a shared commitment to
collaboration, exchange and long-term creative growth. For us at IFFM and Mind
Blowing Films, it is incredibly fulfilling to help build pathways that support
filmmakers, students, producers and storytellers from both nations. From
expanded festival linkages to academic partnerships and increased distribution
access, the initiatives announced at IFFI represent the strongest and most
holistic framework we have ever established together. I am deeply grateful to
our Lord Mayor, Sanjay Jaju, the NFDC and IFFI for making this moment a reality
that shall be etched in the new cultural landscape.”
These partnerships represent one of the most
ambitious India–Australia film initiatives to date. Through shared festivals,
industry ties, educational pathways, and expanded distribution, the
collaborations announced at IFFI lay the groundwork for the long-term growth of
the Indo-Australian screen ecosystem. IFFM’s role in bringing this delegation
to India marks a significant step forward in cultural diplomacy through cinema.
It also opens new opportunities for storytellers, students, producers, and audiences
in both countries.
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