The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), the southern hemisphere's greatest annual celebration of Indian cinema today unveiled details of the 2016 program. Taking place from 11-21 August with “Female Empowerment” as its unifying theme this year’s festival explores the richness of contemporary cinema from India and the sub-continent, featuring films spanning Bollywood box-office hits to documentaries and arthouse festival favourites, as well as hosting the third edition of the annual Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Awards.
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick-Lange said, “This year’s festival presents a world-class program overflowing with gala events, master classes with India’s leading film figures, and over 50 films screenings in 17 languages across multiple Melbourne venues. We invite audiences to join us for an eleven day journey into India and the sub continent’s extraordinary worlds.”
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said, “IFFM celebrates Victoria’s long-standing relationship with India, honours our vibrant local Indian community, and illustrates how the voices of all communities help to build Victoria’s reputation as the creative state. Last year, over 35,000 people took part in the festival and this year’s program is shaping up to be the best yet. The Victorian Government is proud to support IFFM as part of Creative State, our $115 million strategy to strengthen Victoria's creative industries and cultural offering.”
The festival is delighted to announce a number of India’s biggest stars as special guests for 2016. The stellar list features Bollywood legend Rishi Kapoor, who over the last forty years has played the romantic lead in over 90 films, from the super-hit Bobby in 1973 to his most recent turn in Kapoor and Sons. Other VIPs include Leena Yadav, director of the internationally acclaimed Parched, the IFFM opening night film; Bollywood’s new “it girl” Radhika Apte; bold Bollywood actress Richa Chadda; award-winning director of Autograph and Rajkahini, Srijit Mukherjee; National Award-winning actress Rituparna Sengupta; Shakun Batra, director of Kapoor & Sons; dancer and actress Malaika Arora Khan, and IFFM Ambassador Vidya Balan.
Feedback/Comments
Enjoyed watching movie
It is great to experience the culture of people though a movie.
Went to a movie with a friend last night, as part of the Indian Film Festival, called "Ekk Albela". It's a thoroughly enjoyable movie about a pioneer of the Indian movie industry.
It was introduced by a lady who got up on stage and spoke for a bit about it and other work. Since we were sitting right up the back we couldn't really see her clearly.
Found out today it was Vidya Balan, a well known Bollywood actress.
I was in the presence of Bollywood celebrity and didn't even know it.
D'oh...
Come to think of it that would explain all the photographs and autographs and other graphs that were going on. This comment was posted by edward he thought the movie was great. I loved it too the story was told well. And before we saw the main film some children bollywood dancers performed. Absolutely another brilliant night thanks to on the house.
Hu
love the idea of an Indian film festival/my friend and I really enjoyed the mvoie "Happy New Year". We left the cinema feeling really uplifted.
The movies "I" saw were poignant, disturbing, confronting but still all with a touch of humour, elation, and tinges of "hope"...and that's how I left feeling...."hoping" many things would change...
Could be better organised by the event managers. Concept is great.
quite liked this for a different experience. unique style of film making.
always fond of indian film
The film we wanted to go and see was cancelled at the last minute, and when we got to the ticket counter we were informed of this. Luckily, the theatre gave us complimentary tickets to a different film, which we loved! So it wasn't what we expected, but it ended up a nice night.
I went to the movie "Happy new year", and it was fantastic comedy with lots of dances!
The only minus is that it was 3,5 hours long.
Watched a Sri Lankan Movie "Silence in the Court". It was good movie well filmed and well edited.