NIFFA Regional Dubbo 2025
NIFFA Regional Dubbo 2025
Friday 20 June
Red Carpet Opening Night $25 – Dubbo RSL Club Resort
5:00 pm
Filmmakers Hangout Lounge with bar (buy your own drinks)
6:00 pm
Theatre doors opens
6:30 pm
Official proceedings commence
Diya Lamp Ceremony
7:00 pm
Opening Night Film
The first time screening in Australia or New Zealand! Ata
Thambaycha Naay (Now There’s no stopping!)
Based on a true story, this is a film that’s about ordinary people doing extraordinary stuff, a universal story no matter the language you speak that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer.
9:00 pm
Canapé networking event with special guests (included in your ticket price)
Tickets can also be purchased in person at Dubbo RSL Reception, Ph: 02 6882 4411
Saturday 21 June
Film Session 1, $10 – Dubbo RSL Club Resort
Arrive at 9:30am for a 10am start
- Short Film: Bandar (Monkey) (2024) – 14m
Filmmaker: Geet Gangwani - Short Film: The Garmentologist – 20m
Filmmaker: Debajit Banerjee - International Indian Feature: Arranged Love – 1h 50m
Filmmaker: Sanjane Koneshamoorthy
Tickets can also be purchased in person at Dubbo RSL Reception, Ph: 02 6882 4411
Film Session 2, $10 – Dubbo RSL Club Resort
Arrive 12:45 pm for a 1:10 pm start
- Short Film: UNSA!D – A Second Chance (2024) – 15m
Filmmaker: Paul Vimal
- Feature: Parikrama (2024) – 1h 53m
Filmmaker: Goutam Ghose
Tickets can also be purchased in person at Dubbo RSL Reception, Ph: 02 6882 4411
Film Session 3, $10 – Dubbo RSL Club Resort
Arrive from 3:30 pm for a 3:50 pm start
- Indie Indian Feature: WingMan (The Universal Irony of Love) (2024) – 1h 2m
Filmmaker: Anuj Gulati Documentary Feature: Maa Oori Ramayanam (2024) – 55m
Filmmaker: Badrappa Gajula
Tickets can also be purchased in person at Dubbo RSL Reception, Ph: 02 6882 4411
Film Panel 1, Free – Milestone Hotel
Saturday 21 June, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Film Industry Panel: Regional to Global – How can a regional area as vibrant as Dubbo ensure a global filmmaking presence?
Panel Chair
- Nick Lowther: Chief of Staff ABC Western Plains
Panelists
Anupam Sharma: Award-winning filmmaker, Member Screen Queensland Diversity Task Force, Founding Director National Indian Film Festival of Australia, Chair Australia India Film Council, architect of the Australia India Film Fund.
Ilai Swindels: Award-winning actor, radio host, and voice over artist living and working in Dubbo.
Nathan Shooter: best known as the ‘Make Ideas Matter’ guy, Nathan Shooter is a brand strategist, designer, corporate filmmaker and international speaker.
Tammy Bartaia: an International actress, TV presenter and author, and speaks four languages English, Hindi, Russian, and Georgian.
A unique opportunity to hear from film director and producer Anupam Sharma, who recently returned from the Cannes Film Festival, where an Australia-India Financing Venture was announced.
“The venture brings together investment duo Roshni Pandey and Jagdish Sidhu — who oversee portfolios spanning Southeast Asia, London and Australia — with filmmaker Anupam Sharma, architect of the Australia India Film Fund. The trio will partner with production house Temple, which operates from Disney Studios Australia in Sydney.” – Variety Magazine
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about the growing market for cross-cultural film productions and how to get involved.
Any questions, please call Kellie on 0478 076 329
Film Panel 2, Free – Milestone Hotel
Saturday 21 June, 3:30pm – 5pm
Film Industry Panel: Harnessing the power of South Asian communities in Dubbo
Panel Chair
Nick Lowther, Chief of Staff ABC Western Plains
Panelists
This panel will explore the benefits of engaging and utilising existing skills in the local South Asian communities to grow the film industry in Dubbo.
Farabee Kabir: Australian-Bengali film producer, and a Development and Production Executive at Temple Films and Casting.
Tammy Bartaia: an International actress, TV presenter and author, and speaks four languages English, Hindi, Russian, and Georgian.
Achala Dattar: Head of Operations, ZEE studios Australia
Sanjay Chandran Pullaniparambathu: Theatre director, scriptwriter, digital architect and infrastructure strategist
Kushi Venkatesh: stand-up comedian, reporter, named Adelaide’s funniest teen, a regular on ABC’s Behind the News and a regular TikToker, racking up millions of likes.
Any questions, please call Kellie on 0478 076 329
Live Comedy x DJ x After Party $49 – Milestone Hotel (upstairs of the Milestone Hotel)
Saturday 21 June, 7pm-midnight
- A youth-focused event, all ages 16+ welcome
- Alcohol free
- Includes: DJ, guest comedian, mocktails, finger food, and prizes
- ONE NIGHT ONLY – Limited tickets
- Ages 16+
- PRIZES for best dressed, best dancing, and best joke
- 7pm-8pm Live Comedy with Kushi Ventkatesh
Nineteen-year-old Kushi Venkatesh believes that everyone – no matter their age or skin colour – should have a voice. That’s why South Australia’s Funniest Teen of 2023 is a stand-up comedian and reporter – on top of being a university student and tennis coach.
Kushi was on track for college tennis when a bad shoulder dislocation meant she had to turn down a scholarship. The competitive Kushi turned to her other love, comedy, starring in the ‘Brown Women Comedy’ tour and amassing a following on social media for her relatable, hilarious and inspiring storytelling.
- 8pm-midnight, After party with DJ Ashish Verma
DJ Ashish is a Bollywood music based DJ based in Dubbo and is known for bringing vibrant, high-energy sets.Specialising in Bollywood music with a dynamic touch, his style blends classic hits with modern remixes and unexpected genre twists.
With a deep love for music and a passion for making memories through sound, DJ Ashish is more than just a party-starter – he’s a vibe curator.
There will also be:
- Dance performances
- Instagram installation
Any questions, please call Kellie on 0478 076 329
Sunday 22 June
Workshop 1, $20 – Dubbo RSL Club Resort
Sunday 22 June, 10am-12:30pm
How to create content on your smartphone
Presented by Nathan Shooter
Nathan Shooter is a brand strategist, designer, corporate filmmaker, mobile filmmaking expert, and vice-president of Dubbo Filmmakers.
Introduction to Mobile Filmmaking: The Essentials
Want to take your smartphone videos to the next level? Whether you’re creating content for social media, documenting events, or working on a short film, this workshop will give you the fundamental skills to improve your mobile filmmaking.
Facilitated by experienced filmmaker Nathan Shooter, this hands-on session will cover:
Video settings – making the most of your phone’s camera
Audio – capturing clear sound
Lighting – using natural and artificial light effectively
Shot composition – framing your shots like a pro
What to Bring:
- Your phone (charged, with storage space available)
- Charger
- A basic understanding of your phone’s camera app and gallery is required.
Tickets can also be purchased in person at Dubbo RSL Reception, Ph: 02 6882 4411
Workshop 2, $20 – Dubbo RSL Club Resort
Sunday 22 June, 1:30pm-3:30pm
How to prepare for a TV or film audition
A hands-on practical workshop
Presented by:
Erifili Davis, award-winning filmmaker, director, actor, Vice President of Wesley House Players, Director of Studio 138, and Executive of Dubbo Filmmakers Inc.
Tammy Bartaia, feature film actress and TV presenter.
Tickets can also be purchased in person at Dubbo RSL Reception, Ph: 02 6882 4411
Closing Day Event, $15 – Dubbo RSL Club Resort
Sunday 22 June, 4pm-6:30pm
Special Guests
ORISCON Performance
Closing Night Film Phule (Zee Studios)
Q&A with Achala Datar – Head of Operations – Zee Studios
Be among the first in Australia to experience Phule on the big screen at NIFFA Regional.
Phule (2025) is a powerful Hindi-language biographical drama directed by National Award-winner Anant Mahadevan and produced by Zee Studios, Dancing Shiva Films, and Kingsmen Productions.
A moving biopic on social reformers Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule — trailblazers of women’s education and anti-caste reform in 19th-century India.
Their story of courage, equality, and resistance is as urgent today as ever, making Phule the perfect finale for a festival that champions bold, impactful storytelling.
Watch the official trailer here: https://youtu.be/-HfTlM6r4CU
Tickets can also be purchased in person at Dubbo RSL Reception, Ph: 02 6882 4411
FAQs
Q: Will films have English subtitles
A: Yes
Q: What should I wear on the red carpet?
A: Red Carpet Bling or Whatever makes you feel good
Q: Is the canape event included in the red carpet ticket price?
A: Yes
Q: Can I buy tickets at the door?
A: For all events at the RSL, yes, you can visit reception.
Q: I have more questions, who can I contact?
A: Call Kellie on 0478 076 329