Welcome to the Victorian edition of
National Indian Film Festival of Australia

Australia’s first and only national celebration of Indian cinema returns in 2026 with an expanded program and a historic national footprint.

We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary support from audiences, filmmakers, and partners, which has enabled NIFFA 2026 to grow into the largest national celebration of Indian cinema anywhere in the world outside India, spanning 13+ cities, presenting 32+ films in official selection across 18 Indian languages, with every film screening in official selection  as an Australian, International, or World Premiere.

We thank the filmmakers and the global industry, along with key partners such as the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), for entrusting us with their work. This trust is both an honour and a responsibility, one we carry with great care as we present these stories to Australian audiences.

True to its spirit as a festival for filmmakers, by filmmakers, and of filmmakers, NIFFA 2026 also features a dynamic program of red carpets, special screenings, panel discussions, and industry conversations, creating space not just to showcase cinema, but to engage with it meaningfully.

Victoria holds a special place in my own journey. Since March 1998 I have had the privilege of bringing a significant number of Indian screen productions to the state, representing one of the largest combined investments by the Indian screen industry into Victoria and regional Victoria.

It is therefore a particular honour to launch the national NIFFA 2026 program here, with the support of the City of Greater Geelong, and with the Mayor hosting our opening night.

We are also delighted to present a special teaser screening of my film The Run at Federation Square on 22 June, made possible through the generous support The Federation Sqaure. The festival will then return to Melbourne for the full NIFFA Melbourne edition on 18 June.

NIFFA today is more than a film festival. It is a national Australian platform for conversations around Cinema, Culture, Community, and Commerce between Australia and India.

It is your platform. We invite you to embrace it to use it and embrace it as your shared cultural space, one that celebrates diversity, fosters dialogue, and enriches Australia’s vibrant screen culture.