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National Indian Film Festival expands to regional Australia
The National Indian Film Festival (NIFFA) in Australia is set to expand significantly for its upcoming edition. Scheduled for 2026, the festival currently takes place in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. In a move to broaden its audience, NIFFA will now include six additional regional locations: Broken Hill, Alice Springs, Dubbo, Leeton, Griffith, and Geelong.
Organizers have indicated that further regional sites are likely to be added in the forthcoming weeks, reflecting a commitment to enhancing accessibility and engagement with diverse communities across Australia.
Strategic partnerships and cultural significance
The growth of NIFFA is strengthened by a new memorandum of understanding with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) of India and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). This agreement, set to be formalized at the WAVES Film Bazaar, positions NIFFA as a key platform for showcasing Indian cinema in Australia.
This expansion comes at a significant moment, as India has recently become the largest source of new migrants to Australia. The increasing Punjabi-speaking population illustrates this trend, with Indian films now leading the Australian box office, outpacing local productions. The Australia-India Co-Production Treaty further solidifies Australia’s role as a critical gateway for Indian films.
Festival vision and goals
The festival director and founder Anupam Sharma stated that the National Indian Film Festival Australia (NIFFA) aims to celebrate the diversity of Indian cinema, which extends beyond Bollywood. “Our festival is a celebration of storytelling from India. The enthusiastic response from various Australian cities indicates a remarkable growth trajectory,” he said. With the collaboration of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), NIFFA 2026 is poised to be the most extensive celebration of Indian cinema outside of India.
Innovative programming and collaborations
NIFFA is set to introduce a new segment titled “His Excellency Recommends,” featuring five handpicked Indian films. This selection is curated for Australian audiences by the Indian High Commissioner. The initiative seeks to foster cultural understanding and appreciation through cinema.
Additionally, NIFFA will host a Co-Production Pitch Forum aimed at connecting Indian and Australian producers. This platform will facilitate collaboration with funding bodies and studios. Notably, one project from this forum will secure a co-production and distribution deal, further promoting cross-cultural cinematic partnerships. Indian distributor Forum Films will also support a distribution agreement focused on the Australia-New Zealand market.
Community and industry support
The festival has secured backing from prominent partners for its upcoming edition in 2026. Key supporters include Dendy Cinemas, NDTV, SBS, Marriott, Murdoch University, and the Australia India Business Council, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year. An advisory council has been established, featuring distinguished individuals such as Parwinder Kaur, Western Australia’s first Sikh Member of Parliament, and Brian Hayes, Kings Counsel.
Kaur emphasized the festival’s importance in strengthening ties between Australia and India, stating that “cultural creativity is essential for human connection.” Hayes supported this view, noting that film plays a crucial role in the arts by facilitating storytelling across cultures. According to Warren Kirby, a Member of Parliament in New South Wales, the potential for collaboration between the two film industries is significant, given their complementary strengths.
NIFFA 2026: key dates and future outlook<\/h2>
The NIFFA, set for March 2026, is preparing for major announcements as film submissions close on January 20. The festival’s program will be revealed on Australia Day, aligning with India’s Republic Day on January 26. As NIFFA continues to develop, it aims to showcase the dynamic stories of Indian cinema to a broader audience, strengthening cultural connections and enhancing the artistic scene in Australia.<\/p>