WIFFS announces festival dates, venues and opening night film

Monday 3 July The 2017 Westpac Indian Film Festival Sydney (WIFFS) is thrilled to announce festival dates Friday 18 – Sunday 20 August; with two venues, special screenings and more than ten curated films. This year the festival has selected the compelling Shab to open the festival. The film explores a complex narrative of power dynamics and relationships and in modern metropolitan India.

Yet to be received on the festival circuit, the WIFFS screening will also be its Australian premiere. We have the honour of acclaimed director Onir and stars of the film Ashish Bisht and Raveena Tandon attending the screening to present the feature to Sydney-siders.

Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick-Lange said, “We have such a brilliant selection of films screening throughout the Westpac Indian Film Festival. The program is teeming with rich cinematography and vibrant performances throughout the three-day-festival. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring to Australian audiences some of the best from India and the subcontinent, giving a platform to important and truly beautiful stories. Endeavouring to improve each year, WIFFS 2017 screens at two of Sydney’s major HOYTS theatres; Blacktown and Entertainment Quarter (previously Cinema Paris).

With Indian cinema recognised more and more on the international stage, we shine a light on our handpicked favourites – featuring boundary-pushing films, independent and blockbuster alike. We selected these films to celebrate, to inspire, and to confront audiences. The WIFFS team is excited to welcome Sydney audiences to this year’s festival, with special screenings and an exceptional line up.”

Ganesh Chandrasekkar, Westpac’s General Manager for Premium Customers & Growth Markets said, Westpac is proud to sponsor the Indian Film Festival for the second consecutive year.

“As Australia’s oldest company and first bank, we’re a big supporter of multiculturalism and diversity in the community. We’re thrilled to take part in this wonderful celebration of South Asian cinema to recognise the talented artists and the important contributions that all multicultural Australians make to our wider community.”

Special event: Opening night film Shab presented by director Onir and starring actors Ashish Bisht and Raveena Tandon.

Special Screening: Pioneering film Dr Rakhmabai presented by starring actor Tannishtha Chatterjee.

Westpac Indian Film Festival Sydney

Dates: Friday 18^th August – Sunday 20^th August

Venues: HOYTS Entertainment Quarter • HOYTS Blacktown

The full WIFFS program will be released in the first week of July.

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For more information regarding this media release please contact

Georgia Payne info@indianfilmfestival.com