My Melbourne at the 22nd Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF)

After its successful screening at the 30th Kolkata International Film Festival, My Melbourne was proudly showcased at the 22nd Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF), offering Chennai audiences a glimpse of the vibrant city of Melbourne. The screening marked a significant milestone in the film’s global journey and was met with great enthusiasm from the local audience, many of whom were experiencing My Melbourne on the big screen for the first time, and they left with a newfound affection for the city through the film’s unique portrayal.

The Australian Consulate-General in Chennai provided invaluable support, and the presence of Katrina Knapp, Vice Consul-General at the Australian Consulate-General, made this event more memorable.

One of the highlights of the event was witnessing the long queue of eager attendees, all excited to see My Melbourne. The full-house screening on a Saturday afternoon at 6 Degrees Screen, PVR Sathyam Cinemas, underscored the growing global interest in diverse, authentic storytelling.

The enthusiastic reception from the Chennai audience and the overwhelming response to the film reaffirm our belief in the power of storytelling to connect cultures and bring cities like Melbourne closer to audiences around the world.

Film Detail:

Producer: Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM

Director: Imtiaz Ali,Kabir Khan ,Rima Das,Onir

Cast:

1. Kat Stewart
2. Arushi Sharma
3. Arka Das
4. Brad Hodge
5. Setara Amiri
6. Ryanna Lawson

Synopsis: Themed around the four pillars of diversity—sexuality, gender, disability, and race— the anthology film “My Melbourne” features four unique diverse stories based on true incidents. Indraneel, a queer Indian man and his estranged father reunite in Melbourne to complete a ceremonial ritual, exploring their fraught relationship and the power of forgiveness amid grief. Newly married Sakshi and homeless Jules form an unlikely bond, navigating their struggles and finding connection despite their differences. Emma, a talented deaf dancer, grapples with self-doubt and discrimination until a chance encounter with another deaf dancer inspires her to embrace her uniqueness and find her inner strength. Setara, a 15-year-old Afghan girl rebuilding her life in Melbourne after fleeing the Taliban, finding her sense of belonging through cricket amid family tensions and past trauma.