Highlights
- Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2021 to kick off virtually on 15 August
- IFFM’s opening night postponed due to sixth lockdown in Melbourne
- Over 100 films in 20 languages to be screened at IFFM
With the ambition to screen films in-cinema as well as virtually during the lockdown, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) – an annual calendar event that celebrates Indian cinema — has had to push the pause button on its opening night and on-site events after Melbourne entered its sixth lockdown since 2020.
The opening night of the festival was scheduled for 12 August at a cinema hall in the City to screen Bittu by Karishma Dube and WOMB - Women of My Billion by Ajitesh Sharma.
Aditi Gupta from IFFM told SBS Hindi that new dates were currently being worked out for the opening night while its online program will run as per schedule from 15 to 30 August.
Listen to the podcast. Mitu Bhowmick, the director IFFM speaks about the festival to Anita Barar:-
IFFM’s award ceremony – its most popular event – was not held last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. But it has made a comeback this year, albeit virtually, and will be held on 20 August.
The festival will also hold commemorative events like ‘Celebrating the Centenary of Satyajit Ray’, ‘Remembering Dilip Kumar’ and also pay tribute to deceased singer S P Balasubrahmaniam with a live performance by Melbourne-based band musikAda on 15 August at Melbourne’s Federation Square to mark India’s Independence Day.
IFFM had recently announced the award nominees in nine categories, including three new categories including Best Series, Best Performance in a Series for an actor and an actress.
Family Man Season 2, Mirzapur Season 2, Bandish Bandits, Mismatched and Churails have been nominated for the Best Series Award.
Ali Fazal (R) with Dame Judie Dench in a file photo. The Bollywood actor has been nominated in IFFM's best actor award category for web series. Source: AAP Image/EPA/ETTORE FERRARI
Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Divyenndu have been nominated for the best actor award in Mirzapur 2. Manoj Bajpayee has been nominated for the same award for his role in The Family Man Season 2, as have Saif Ali Khan and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub for Tandav.
The nominees for best actress in a web series are Neena Gupta for Masaba Masaba, Samantha Akkineni for The Family Man Season 2, Dugal and Shweta Tripathi Sharma in Mirzapur 2, Shahana Goswami for Bombay Begums and Prajakta Koli for Mismatched.
In race for the best film award are Sherni, Soorarai Pottru, Lootcase, Tasher Ghawr, Kayattam and Ludo.
Vidya Balan-starrer 'Sherni' has been nominated for IFFM's Best Film award for which she has been nominated in the Best Actress category. Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
Ajitpal Singh’s Fire in the Mountains has been nominated in the Best Indie Film category with other nominees being God on the Balcony (Assamese), Laila aur Satt Geet (Gojri, Hindi), Nasir (Tamil), Pinki Elli? (Kannada), Seththumaan (Tamil), Sthalpuran (Marathi) and The Great Indian Kitchen (Malayalam).
WOMB (Women of My Billion), slotted for the opening night, has been nominated in the Best Documentary category to compete against Sona Mohapatra’s Shut Up Sona, Rifle in a Bag, About Mumma, Borderlands and Watch over Me.
For its Short Film Competition segment, which has received over 3,000 entries so far, IFFM has roped in actor Richa Chadha and filmmaker Onir as jury members.
12th edition of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne all set to kick off from 15th Aug virtually. Source: Supplied by IFFM
In a recent message to IFFM, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said, “this incredible event – which draws visitors from across the world, both, in person and online – is an important celebration of India’s cinema and culture. This year’s festivities will also celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day.
“It’s a chance to reflect on the enormous contribution India has made to the world and an opportunity to reaffirm the qualities that make India a great and vibrant democracy,” he stated.
Congratulating the IFFM team, Victoria’s Minister of Creative Industries Danny Pearson said, “this year’s program will not only stretch across a range of COVIDSafe venues in Melbourne, the hybrid festival can also be enjoyed at home with a free online program that will be accessible to film lovers right across the globe.
“Film is a powerful medium. It opens us up to new perspectives, helps us reflect on the past and imagine the future. Importantly, at a time when we can’t travel abroad, our screens connect us to stories, cultures and places beyond our borders,” Mr Pearson added in his message to IFFM.
