The Melbourne Indian Film Festival 2025 will celebrate the best of Indian cinema and storytelling from 2024–25. The 16th edition of the Melbourne Indian Film Festival opened in Melbourne with Aamir Khan as the chief guest, featuring ‘Baksho Bondi’ as the opening film. The festival will run until 24 August and conclude with ‘Homebound’, following its success at Cannes.
Fans and filmmakers cheered as awards were presented to outstanding actors, directors, and series. Since 2009, IFFM has become the largest celebration of Indian cinema outside India.
IFFM 2025 Awards Winners
Best Film: ‘Homebound’
Best Director: Neeraj Ghaywan (‘Homebound’)
Best Indie Film: ‘Angammal’
Best Actor (Male) – Film: Abhishek Bachchan (‘I Want to Talk’)
Special Mention – Best Actor (Male) – Film: Gugun Kigpen (‘Boong’)
Best Actor (Female) – Film: Geetha Kailasam (‘Angammal’)
Best Series: ‘Black Warrant’
Best Actor (Male) – Series: Jaideep Ahlawat (‘Paatal Lok Season 2’)
Best Actor (Female) – Series: Nimisha Sajayan (‘Dabba Cartel’)
Excellence in Cinema: Aamir Khan
Leadership in Cinema: Arvind Swamy
Disruptor Award: Vir Das
Diversity in Cinema: Aditi Rao Hydari
Equality in Cinema: ‘Baksho Bondi’
Best Short Film (India): ‘Kalar Pencils’ by Dhananjay Santosh Goregaonkar
Best Short Film (Australia): ‘Drifters’ by David Liu
