By SAT News Desk
Monday 26 June: This year again the most liveable city in the world will be swamped by the Indian film industry with its movies, actors, directors, producers and others who have made it the world’s biggest movie industry. The glitter of this magnificent enterprise dishing out a few thousand movies each year will speak many languages, cultures, and stories. No doubt, IFFM-2017 will be a treat not to be missed.
The 2017 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) will run from Thursday 10 – Tuesday 22 August, with more venues, special guests and events, and screenings of over 60 films.
Opening this year’s festival is the award-winning and thought-provoking Lipstick Under My Burkha. An acclaimed drama exploring social taboos and personal struggles of four Indian women from diverse backgrounds, the film was initially denied classification in January for being too “lady orientated” by the Central Board Film Certification (CBFC) of India, a decision director Alankrita Shrivastava described as “an assault on women’s rights”. Shrivastava and the film’s star Konkona Sen Sharma are special guests of the festival and will attend the opening night.
“Independent films are telling important stories, challenging the status quo and are important artistic expressions.” said Alankrita Shrivastava “I’m delighted to participate in the Festival with Lipstick Under My Burkha and looking forward to the reaction of Australian audiences.”
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said, “The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne promotes the cross-cultural exchange of ideas between Indian and Australian audiences through its unique and diverse selection of films and events. The Victorian Government is proud to support the festival and welcome it back to Victoria for another year. This film is just our first look at what promises to be another exciting program.”
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick-Lange said, “This August the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will present films that explore diversity and the endless potential of humanity. Audiences will immerse themselves in 13 days of film, including Bollywood blockbusters, powerful indie films and stunning documentaries from India and the subcontinent. These films were curated to entertain, inspire, enrage, engage and challenge viewers. We look forward to welcoming a fantastic line up of guests and welcoming audiences to our screenings and special events.”
IFFM continues to grow and increase its accessibility, responding to the huge appetite for Indian film from Melbourne audiences and will this year screen a number of brilliant Bollywood favorites at Federation Square as well as adding three new screening locations at HOYTS Chadstone, Broadmeadows, and Forest Hill alongside Melbourne Central and Highpoint. Celebrating diversity, the IFFM program features films of over 20 different languages from India and the subcontinent.
The star studded Westpac Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Awards (IFFM Awards), will take place on Friday 11 August at Melbourne’s Recital Centre.
IFFM’s opening week coincides with the Indian Independence Day celebrations and the festival is thrilled to commemorate this event through the ceremony, dance and the recognition of excellence in India’s film culture. Celebrations will include the raising of the Indian flag on Saturday 12 August at the Federation Square, followed by the Telstra Bollywood Dance competition.
A not to be missed highlight of this year’s festival will be a series of In Conversation and Masterclass events with Festival Guests at Federation Square’s Deakin Edge as well as Q&As at a number of the screening venues.
The IFFM:
Dates: Thursday 10 August – Tuesday 22 August
Venues: Melbourne Recital Centre • Federation Square • Deakin Edge •Hoyts Melbourne Central • Hoyts Chadstone • Hoyts Broadmeadows • Hoyts Forest Hill • Hoyts Highpoint
The full IFFM program will be released in the first week of July. In the lead up, there’s a fantastic opportunity for film lovers to win tickets to IFFM events by showing their social conscience with the very exciting IFFM Hero campaign. #iffmhero.
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