ANNOUNCING THE 2021 INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL, BACK IN CINEMAS AND ONLINE PLUS OPENING NIGHT FILM ‘WOMB’

Indian Film FesCval of Melbourne Physical FesCval • August 12-21 • Venues across Melbourne  Indian Film FesCval of Melbourne Opening Night • Thursday August 12 • HOYTS Melbourne Central  Indian Film FesCval of Melbourne Virtual FesCval • August 15-30 • Online  

The Indian Film FesCval of Melbourne (IFFM) is delighted to announce its return to cinemas in 2021. Following last year’s virtual fesGval – which reached IFFM’s largest audience to date – IFFM returns this August as a hybrid fesGval with both physical cinema and virtual screenings, ensuring audiences around the country can join in and celebrate the best of con temporary Indian cinema, in the 75^th year of Indian independence.  

In 2021, IFFM takes over five key venues in Melbourne’s CBD and suburbs, while an extended virtual season will see films stream for free via the fesGval’s website, iffm.com.au. IFFM has partnered with the Mental Health Founda.on Australia, and viewers will be encouraged to donate to the organisaGon when they stream FesGval films.  

Kicking off a diverse and dynamic program of more than 70 feature films, documentaries and shorts – the largest fesGval of  its kind in the southern hemisphere – is the 2021 IFFM Opening Night film, Ajitesh Sharma’s WOMB (Women of My Bil lion).  

A heart-wrenching and heart-warming documentary about the dreams and the fight against all forms of violence that unify  the women of India today, WOMB (Women of My Billion) follows one young woman, SrishG Bakshi, as she embarks on a  monumental journey, walking nearly 4000 kilometres over 240 days, from Kanyakumari in South India, to Kashmir in the  North. Along the way, she meets and learns first hand about the experiences of women from all corners of the country.  

SrishC Bakshi said: “Violence against women and girls is a human rights violaGon. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 and the  world locking down to live within four walls, emerging data and reports from those on the frontlines have shown that all  types of violence against women and girls, parGcularly domesGc violence, has only intensified. In this documentary we  celebrate ordinary women who show extraordinary courage to rise above their limitaGons and challenge deeply en trenched gender norms. We do this to unite the majority because what we discovered was that ‘gender-based violence is a crime perpetrated by the minority but perpetuated by the silence of the majority.”  

Producer Apoorva Bakshi, said, “We take great pride in presenGng our film at IFFM as the opening night gala presentaGon  and look forward to sharing it with audiences worldwide. This documentary not only presents facts but also highlights pos sible soluGons which can be implemented today. 

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, IFFM Director: “A]er the unprecedented challenges faced over the last 18 months, we are excited to bring the Indian Film FesGval of Melbourne back to the big screen, while our digital pla_orm will ensure viewers around  Australia can access the FesGval too. In 2021, IFFM pays tribute to not only the best of Indian cinema, but to many of our  COVID-19 heroes, offering vital community support, connecGon and hope in these challenging Gmes.” 

Caroline Pitcher, Film Victoria CEO: “Film Victoria is proud to be the principal partner of the Indian Film FesGval of Melbourne. For over a decade, this incredible celebraGon of Indian film and culture has given Victorians the opportunity to engage  with diverse and compelling screen stories, and it’s wonderful that this year we can come together both in cinemas across Melbourne and online.”  

The Indian Film FesGval of Melbourne is the southern hemisphere’s greatest annual celebraGon of Indian cinema and films 

FesCval LocaCons • HOYTS Melbourne Central, HOYTS District Docklands, HOYTS Chadstone,  HOYTS Highpoint • FederaGon Square  

Virtual FesCval • Films accessible to stream for free online at www.iffm.com.au

from the Indian sub-conGnent. Established in 2010, it is recognised as an important feature of the State’s cultural calendar. IFFM is proudly supported by the Victorian Government via Film Victoria – principal partner of the fesGval. 

The full 2021 IFFM program launches on date TBC 

2021 Indian Film FesCval of Melbourne dates: August 12-21 in cinemas; August 15-30 online  

h[ps://www.iffm.com.au/