IFFM 2026 – Indian Cinema’s Leading Names Compete for Melbourne Awards
IFFM 2026 – The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is set to bring together a wide range of Indian films, performers and creators when it returns to Australia from August 13 to August 23, 2026. Backed by the Victorian Government, the annual event will celebrate achievements across cinema and streaming, with winners selected by a jury featuring prominent figures from Australia’s film and cultural sectors.
The festival is expected to host premieres, curated screenings, conversations with filmmakers, masterclasses, industry programmes and cultural events. Its awards ceremony will remain one of the central attractions, recognising work from across India’s varied film industries.
Film Nominees Reflect Diverse Stories and Regional Cinema
The Best Film race includes Haq, Jarann, Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, Saiyaara, Sitaare Zameen Par, Sharthopor and The Great Shamsuddin Family. The nominated titles represent a mix of commercial releases, character-driven dramas and regional stories that have found attention among audiences and critics.
Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 is among the high-profile contenders in the category, while films such as Haq and Saiyaara are also in the running for the festival’s top honour. The final decision will be announced during the awards segment of the Melbourne event.
Directors Compete Across Film Categories
The Best Director category includes Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Chandrasish Ray, Mohit Suri, Ramalingam Gowtham, Rima Das, Rishab Shetty, R.S. Prasanna and Shazia Iqbal. The line-up brings together filmmakers working in different languages and styles, reflecting the broad range of projects represented at the festival this year.
Their nominated work spans mainstream cinema, independent storytelling and regionally rooted narratives. The category is expected to be closely watched because several of the directors are also linked to films competing in the major awards sections.
Aamir Khan, Mammootty and Ranveer Singh in Best Male Performance Race
The Best Performance (Male) nominees include Aamir Khan, Ahaan Panday, Bhuman Bhargav Das, Dulquer Salmaan, Mammootty, Ranveer Singh, Rishab Shetty and Sanjay Mishra. The list features established stars alongside newer performers, highlighting the variety of acting talent recognised by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
Aamir Khan’s inclusion adds further attention to the category, while Mammootty, Ranveer Singh, Dulquer Salmaan and Rishab Shetty are also among the notable names competing for the award. Ahaan Panday is part of the nomination list as the festival continues to acknowledge emerging talent alongside experienced actors.
Female Performance Category Features Leading Actors
Aneet Padda, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Kirti Kulhari, Neena Gupta, Rajshri Deshpande, Rani Mukerji, Rituparna Sengupta and Yami Gautam Dhar have been nominated for Best Performance (Female). The category includes actors from Hindi cinema as well as regional film industries, underlining the festival’s pan-Indian approach.
The nominees have been recognised for performances across different genres, including drama, family stories and socially focused films. The final winner will be selected by the festival jury during the August programme.
Streaming Series Also Receive Recognition
The festival’s series categories include a strong group of performers. Ambrish Verma, Arif Zakaria, Barun Sobti, Kunal Kemmu, Paramvir Singh Cheema, Manav Kaul, Manoj Pahwa and Vijay Varma are nominated in the Best Performance (Male) Series section.
In the Best Performance (Female) Series category, the contenders are Anandhi, Huma Qureshi, Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli, Mona Singh, Rasika Dugal, Seema Pahwa, Shefali Shah and Swastika Mukherjee.
The Best Series nominees are Baai Tujhyapayi, Kohrra: Season 2, Matka King, Real Kashmir Football Club, Sapne Vs Everyone, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, Perfect Family and Freedom at Midnight: Season 2. The nominations underline the growing role of streaming platforms in expanding the reach and diversity of Indian storytelling.