The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) has announced its nominees for the 16th edition of its annual awards, shining a spotlight on the rich tapestry of Indian cinema and streaming content released between June 15, 2024 and June 14, 2025.
Supported by the Victorian Government, the festival takes place from August 14–24, with the prestigious NAB IFFM Awards Night on August 15 recognising excellence across feature films, independent productions, and OTT series available to Australian audiences.
A Record Slate of Film Contenders
In the Best Film category, seven titles contend for the top honour:
- Homebound
- Kalki 2898AD
- L2: Empuraan
- Maharaj
- Meiyazhagan
- Stree 2
- Superboys of Malegaon
The Best Indie Film nominees showcase emerging voices and regional storytelling:
- Angammal
- Baksho bondi (Shadowbox)
- Boong
- Feminichi Fathima (Feminist Fathima)
- Humans in the loop
- Village Rockstars 2
- We are Faheem and Karun
Veteran and rising actors battle for Best Actor (Male), including Ishaan Khatter (Homebound), Abhishek Bachchan (I Want to Talk), and Mohanlal (L2: Empuraan).
The Best Actor (Female) roster stars Kareena Kapoor Khan (The Buckingham Murders), Sharmila Tagore (Puratawn), and Shraddha Kapoor (Stree 2), among others.
Directorial honours in the Best Director category highlight Neeraj Ghaywan (Homebound) competing against Rima Das (Village Rockstars 2), Reema Kagti (Superboys of Malegaon), and newcomers such as Aranya Sahay (Humans in the loop) and Lakshmipriya Devi (Boong).
OTT Series Dominates Streaming Awards
On the streaming front, Best Web Series nominations reflect the current golden age of Indian digital storytelling:
- Black Warrant
- Gyaarah Gyaarah
- Khauf
- Kota Factory Season 3
- Manorathangal
- Paatal Lok Season 2
- Thallivattam Palayam
- Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper
In the Best Actor (Female) – Web Series category, Parvathy Thiruvothu (Manorathangal) and Shabana Azmi (Dabba Cartel) lead a field that also includes Ananya Pandey (Call Me Bae) and Tillotama Shome (Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper).
On the male side, heavyweights Jaideep Ahlawat (Paatal Lok Season 2), Jitendra Kumar (Kota Factory Season 3), and Mammootty (Manorathangal) vie for the title alongside Zahaan Kapoor (Black Warrant).
Esteemed Jury and Celebration of Diversity
An illustrious jury will determine the winners, including Academy Award–nominated director Garth Davis (Lion), theatre director and producer Nadia Tass, and other luminaries from Australia’s film and cultural sectors. Their deliberations will reflect IFFM’s commitment to celebrating Indian filmmaking in all its regional, linguistic, and stylistic diversity.
“IFFM is proud to showcase everything from mainstream blockbusters and star-studded epics to intimate indie dramas and cutting-edge web series,” said IFFM Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange.
“These nominations underscore the creativity and innovation driving Indian content today—and we can’t wait to bring this incredible work to Australian screens.”
With six weeks of public programming, tickets for events are available via iffm.com.au. The NAB IFFM Awards ceremony on August 15 promises a glamorous night of red‑carpet premieres and announcements. Winners in each category will take home the coveted Golden Gateway award and further solidify their standing on the global stage.
Key Dates
- Festival: August 14–24, 2025
- Awards Night: August 15, 2025
For a full list of nominees and to purchase tickets, visit iffm.com.au.
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