The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is back for its 17th year, bringing more than 130 films, major Indian cinema stars and a packed program of events to Melbourne.
Running from Thursday, 13th August to Sunday, 23rd August, the festival will showcase films across 38 languages, with more than 30,000 people expected to attend events across the city.
The Victorian Government has committed $600,000 to support the festival for another two years.
Rekha and Rani Mukerji headline the festival
Screen legend Rekha is this year’s headline guest and will receive the IFFM Excellence in Cinema Award. She will also preside over the ceremonial hoisting of the Indian national flag at Fed Square as part of the festival’s Indian Independence Day celebrations.
Rani Mukerji will receive an Honorary Doctorate from La Trobe University, recognising her contribution to cinema, storytelling and culture as she marks 30 years in Indian cinema. Mukerji will also sit down with journalist Rajeev Masand for a special festival conversation exploring her career and impact on Indian cinema.
Other major names appearing at IFFM include director Rima Das, actor and producer Dulquer Salmaan and actor Pankaj Tripathi.
Masand will also speak with Tripathi about his acting career, creative process and the characters that have made him one of Indian cinema’s most recognisable performers.
From new releases to a restored classic
The 2026 program covers everything from new releases and premieres to restored Indian cinema classics. Film highlights include the Australian premiere of Members of the Problematic Family, Melbourne short film Graveyard Shift and feature film Full Plate.
A restored version of Muzaffar Ali’s 1981 classic Umrao Jaan will also screen. Starring Rekha, the film follows Amiran, who is abducted as a child and later becomes Umrao Jaan, a celebrated courtesan and poet in 19th-century Lucknow.
The festival will also host IFFM Chat: Women in Cinema, bringing together filmmakers and performers including Rima Das, Dolly Singh, Saiyami Kher and Kirti Kulhari to discuss representation and the future of South Asian cinema.
IFFM heads to regional Victoria
IFFM Regional Rhapsody will take the festival beyond Melbourne on 22nd and 23rd August, with screenings in Geelong, Bendigo and Shepparton.
The regional program includes Australian, Victorian, international and world premieres, with films such as Kuttikkali (Child’s Play), Loving Karma, Jersey Boy, Sheshippu (The Remnant), Njaan Revathi (I Am Revathi) and Pinjar (The Cage).
Sunday’s program features This Tree Won’t Fall, Delupi, Yeh Mera Ghar (My Home), Echoes and Spying Stars. Several screenings will be followed by live Q&As with the filmmakers.
Fed Square takes centre stage
Some of the festival’s biggest celebrations will unfold at Fed Square, including the Awards Night, Pride Day and the much-loved Dance Competition.
The annual celebration brings Melbourne’s Indian community and film fans together for a program spanning cinema, performances and cultural events. With stars, premieres, restored classics and screenings across regional Victoria, IFFM 2026 is set to turn Melbourne into a hub for Indian cinema over the next 11 days.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne runs from 13th to 23rd August 2026.
