Indian Film Festival of Melbourne- IFFM has had a phenomenal online opening with thousands of people from all parts of Australia registering and watching movies on their website and App.
Despite the COVID induced restrictions and lockdowns, IFFM2021’s online avatar is proving to be most popular.
IFFM opened on 15 August at 6 pm on Indian Independence day since then within 48 hours number of registration on the IFFM website has exceeded the previous years.
Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange told The Australia Today, “We are so happy that Australians are liking the lineup of more than 120 movies and short films in 27 languages.”
“I would like to encourage everyone to please drop a message on our social media pages about what they are liking most.”
When questioned about her own preference among the lineup, Ms Lange said curating the festival is like having your child and no mother can pick favourites among her kids.
She sums it by saying, “This is a celebration of diversity and the best of Indian cinema in all
its forms.”
The highlight of the festival has always been the star-packed ‘IFFM Awards Ceremony’ which will also take place online on the 20th of August during the course of the festival.
IFFM2021 has broadened its horizons with new nomination titles to celebrate the Indian film industry holistically. This year the festival is launching three categories under the belt of web series on OTT platforms.
Keeping up with the growing trend festival will recognise Best Series, Best Performance in a series each under the Actor and Actress category. The consideration of these shows is limited to only those platforms which are available to the Australian audiences.
This list of names includes extraordinary films of 2021 such as Ludo directed by Anurag Basu, the Vidya Balan starer Sherni directed by Amit Masukar, Soorarai Pottru (Tamil) that is starred and produced by Suriya and directed by Sudha Kongara and God on the Balcony, an Assamese film starring Harish Khanna and directed by Biswajeet Bora.
This year’s Best Documentary features some of the most compelling stories including Shut Up Sona, W.O.M.B, About Mumma amongst others. Winners of Best Film, Best Indie Film and Best Documentary each won the state of the art cameras from Black Magic Design apart from the award.
Another key highlight is that the Best Film winner automatically gets a nomination nod under the Best Asian Film category at the annual prestigious AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards).
The IFFM has had the privilege of some of the biggest Australian film talents on the jury panel. This year’s festival jury boasts of jury members that will include names like global award-winning film editor Jill Bilcock, one of Australia’s renowned actors Vince Colosimo and multi-award-winning director Geoffrey Wright.
Register to watch IFFM Awards Ceremony on ZOOM:
When: Aug 20, 2021, 04:30 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpc-mqqTIqGNdRyOBIY19B4B-LiSZiouRi