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{{Short description|Australian film festival}}
{{Infobox film festival
| name = National Indian Film Festival of Australia
| founded = 2025
| location = Australia
| language = English, Indian regional languages
| website = [https://niffa.com.au niffa.com.au]
}}
[[File:NIFFA Logo.png|thumb|Official logo of National Indian Film Festival of Australia]]

The '''National Indian Film Festival of Australia''' (NIFFA) is an annual film festival established in 2025 to celebrate Indian cinema in Australia. Following its inaugural edition in 2025, the festival returned for a second edition in 2026, with media coverage noting an expanded programme featuring a range of Indian films across genres and regions.<ref name="IndianSun1">{{cite web | title=National Indian Film Festival of Australia unveils 2026 lineup | date=25 March 2026 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-unveils-2026-lineup/articleshow/129795882.cms }}</ref> Organised in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Indian Cinema,<ref name="CinemaExpress">{{cite web | title=Australian Centre for Indian Cinema launches National Indian Film Festival of Australia | website=[[Cinema Express]] | date=26 October 2024 | url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/english/news/2024/Oct/26/australian-centre-for-indian-cinema-launches-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia }}</ref> NIFFA is described as Australia's first and only national celebration of Indian cinema. It aims to showcase the diversity of Indian filmmaking, including independent, regional, and diaspora films, and to strengthen bilateral screen and cultural ties.

The inaugural edition took place between 13 February and 2 March 2025, in seven Australian cities: [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]], [[Adelaide]], [[Canberra]], [[Perth]], and the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]].<ref name="NDTVLaunch">{{cite web | title=NIFFA 2025 to Showcase Indian Cinema Across Australia | url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/niffa-2025-to-showcase-indian-cinema-across-australia-7657508 }}</ref> Over 40 films were screened, including three world premieres and 36 Australian premieres. The opening night film was ''[[Superboys of Malegaon]]'' by [[Reema Kagti]],<ref name="NDTVOpening">{{cite web | title=NIFFA 2025 Opening Film Superboys of Malegaon Trailer Out: Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh's Love Letter to Cinema | url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/niffa-2025-opening-film-superboys-of-malegaon-trailer-out-adarsh-gourav-vineet-kumar-singhs-love-letter-to-cinema-7693274 }}</ref> and the closing film was ''[[Roam Rome Mein]]'' by [[Tannishtha Chatterjee]].<ref name="SaachiBaat">{{cite web | title=Roam Rome Mein directed by Tannishtha Chatterjee, to close National Indian Film Festival of Australia - Saachi Baat | date=March 2025 | url=https://saachibaat.com/entertainment/roam-rome-mein-directed-by-tannishtha-chatterjee-to-close-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia/ }}</ref> A retrospective on [[Shyam Benegal]] was also included.<ref name="Firstpost">{{cite web | title=The National Indian Film Festival of Australia to honour late filmmaker Shyam Benegal with a retrospective of his work | date=9 February 2025 | url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-to-honour-late-filmmaker-shyam-benegal-with-a-retrospective-of-his-work-13864972.html }}</ref>

== History ==

The National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) was officially announced in October 2024 by the Australian Centre for Indian Cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |last=OneArabia |date=2024-10-25 |title=National Indian Film Festival Of Australia To Celebrate Indian Cinema Across Seven Cities In February 2025 |url=https://www.onearabia.me/bollywood/national-indian-film-festival-australia-2025-011-76213.html |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=www.onearabia.me |language=en}}</ref>

The festival was conceived by filmmaker [[Anupam Sharma]], an Indian-Australian industry leader and curated alongside festival director Peter Castaldi. Both of them had previously collaborated on Indian film programming in Australia.<ref name="VarietyLaunch">{{cite web | title=Australia to Launch National Indian Film Festival in 2025 – Global Bulletin | date=25 October 2024 | url=https://variety.com/2024/film/asia/australia-national-indian-film-festival-1236190580/ }}</ref>

NIFFA's inaugural edition ran from 13 February to 2 March 2025, spanning 18 days and screening in seven Australian cities: [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]], [[Adelaide]], [[Canberra]], [[Perth]], and the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2024-10-25 |title=Australia to Launch National Indian Film Festival in 2025 – Global Bulletin |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/asia/australia-national-indian-film-festival-1236190580/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The festival presented over 40 titles, going beyond Bollywood, including Australian and world premieres, regional-language films, and a curated retrospective of Shyam Benegal, many of which had never screened in Australian cinemas before.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-11 |title=First national Indian film festival goes beyond Bollywood |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-12/national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-movies-what-to-watch/105020212 |access-date=2025-09-21 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

NIFFA 2025 was notable for implementing an all-women Nomination Council, comprising industry leaders like Achala Datar from [[Zee Studios]], producer Deepti Sachdeva, filmmaker Neeru Saluja, and actress-director Amruta Apte.[https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/first-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-announces-all-women-nomination-council-7541859?utm] The festival also introduced a Post-production Completion Grant and a special short film distribution offer by Pocket Films, offering financial and mentorship support for both Australian and Indian filmmakers working on Indian South Asian stories. In addition, NIFFA hosted panels and workshops on co-production, distribution, and investment, aiming to strengthen both cultural and commercial ties between the Indian and Australian screen industries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Indian Film Festival of Australia |url=https://filmfreeway.com/NIFFA |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=FilmFreeway |language=en}}</ref>

NIFFA received significant backing from institutions including [[NDTV]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bureau |first=BestMediaInfo |title=NDTV partners with National Indian Film Festival of Australia |url=https://bestmediainfo.com/mediainfo/television/ndtv-partners-with-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-7553272 |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=bestmediainfo.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Dendy Cinemas]], the Indian High Commission (Canberra), Indian Consulates in Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane, [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS Australia]], and the [[Indian Council for Cultural Relations|Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)]].[https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/niffa-2025-to-showcase-indian-cinema-across-australia-7657508]

Australia is home to one of the most professional screen industries,[https://www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/screen?] while India stands as one of the world's most prolific and fastest-growing film markets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dan-Awoh |first=Deborah |date=2024-08-14 |title=Top 10 Fastest Growing Film Industries in the World |url=https://nairametrics.com/2024/08/14/top10-fastest-growing-film-industries-in-the-world/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Nairametrics |language=en-US}}</ref> The cinematic synergy between the two nations has gained significant momentum in recent years.

A landmark Australia–India Co-Production Treaty was signed on 19 November 2023, enabling streamlined collaboration and mutual access to incentives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2023-11-24 |title=Australia, India Look to Benefit From Newly Ratified Treaty, Filming Incentives (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/asia/australia-india-film-treaty-benefits-1235807828/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Australia was also named the “Country of Focus” at the [[55th International Film Festival of India]] in [https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2067309#:~:text=The%20Ministry%20of%20Information%20%26%20Broadcasting,November%20to%2028th%20November%202024. 2024]. In addition, India has increased screen subsidies for co-production partner countries like Australia.[https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1978313]

These developments align with the rise of the Indian diaspora in Australia, now the country's second-largest immigrant group, [https://hcicanberra.gov.in/page/indian-community-in-australia/#:~:text=Indian%20diaspora%20is%20the%20second%20largest%20and%20fastest%20growing%20diaspora%20in%20Australia.] and the growing mainstream success of Indian films at the Australian box office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Karl |date=2023-11-13 |title=More than Bollywood: How India is taking over Australian cinemas |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/big-bold-and-more-than-bollywood-how-india-is-taking-over-australian-cinemas-20231110-p5eiz4.html |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

With over AUD $75 million worth of India-centric screen projects currently in development or production across the two nations, NIFFA launched at a strategically ideal moment celebrating and shaping this evolving cinematic relationship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFFI 2023 India welcomes ratification of co-production treaty by Australia |url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/entertainment/2023/11/24/ent10-iffi-australia-india.html |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2026 ===
The second edition of the National Indian Film Festival of Australia began on 18 March 2026, with screenings scheduled across multiple cities through July 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-23 |title=Home - National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) {{!}} 2026 |url=https://niffa.com.au/ |access-date=2026-04-30 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

== Films and screenings ==

The inaugural edition of the National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) in 2025 featured a curated slate of over 35+ films. The selection included features, shorts, documentaries, and animated works, spanning multiple Indian languages and diasporic themes. All submissions were received via [[FilmFreeway]], and final selections were shortlisted by the Nomination Council.

The Opening Night film was ''[[Superboys of Malegaon]]'', a Hindi-language feature directed by [[Reema Kagti]], which humorously and poignantly chronicles a group of amateur filmmakers in small-town India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NIFFA 2025 Opening Film Superboys Of Malegaon Trailer Out: Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh's Love Letter To Cinema |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/niffa-2025-opening-film-superboys-of-malegaon-trailer-out-adarsh-gourav-vineet-kumar-singhs-love-letter-to-cinema-7693274 |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=NDTV |language=en}}</ref> The Closing Night film was ''Roam Rome Mein'', directed by [[Tannishtha Chatterjee]], a multilingual drama exploring gender and personal liberation through an Indian lens in a European setting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-01 |title=Roam Rome Mein directed by Tannishtha Chatterjee, to close National Indian Film Festival of Australia - Saachi Baat |url=https://saachibaat.com/entertainment/roam-rome-mein-directed-by-tannishtha-chatterjee-to-close-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia/ |access-date=2025-07-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Notable feature screenings included:

* ''Arranged Love'' (English) by Sanjane Koneshamoorthy
* ''Bramayugam'' (Malayalam) by [[Rahul Sadasivan]]
* ''Dhabari Quruvi'' (Irula) by Priyanandanan
* ''It’s Time to Go!'' (Marathi) by [[Anant Mahadevan]]
* ''Mirbeen'' (Karbi) by Mridul Gupta
* ''Parikrama'' (Hindi & Italian) by [[Goutam Ghose]]
* ''WingMan (The Universal Irony of Love)'' (Hindi) by Anuj Gulati

Short films screened included ''Bandar'', ''The Last Show'', ''Marigold'', and ''Ghar Jaisa Kuch'', among others. The festival also included documentary features like ''Maa Oori Ramayanam'', ''Baghjan'', and ''What If I Tell You''. A key highlight of the inaugural NIFFA was a retrospective tribute to legendary filmmaker [[Shyam Benegal]], a pioneering voice in Indian parallel cinema who died just a few months before the festival. Honouring his immense contribution to socially conscious storytelling, NIFFA curated screenings of some of his most acclaimed works, including ''[[Mammo]]'' and [[The Making of the Mahatma#:~:text=The Making of the Mahatma is a 1996 biographical film,a Mahatma by Fatima Meer.|''The Making of the Mahatma'']]. The retrospective served as an ode to Benegal's legacy, introducing his cinematic vision to new audiences across Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-09 |title=The National Indian Film Festival of Australia to honour late filmmaker Shyam Benegal with a retrospective of his work |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-to-honour-late-filmmaker-shyam-benegal-with-a-retrospective-of-his-work-13864972.html |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref>

== Awards ==

<ref name="NIFFAWinners">{{cite web | title=Winners - National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) | 2025 | url=https://niffa.com.au/winners/ }}</ref><ref name="Moneycontrol">{{Cite web | title=Superboys of Malegaon wins best film at National Indian Film Festival of Australia | url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/superboys-of-malegaon-wins-best-film-at-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-article-12958195.html | access-date=2025-07-27 | website=www.moneycontrol.com}}</ref>

Key awardees from NIFFA's inaugural year:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winners - National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) {{!}} 2025 |url=https://niffa.com.au/winners/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

* ''[[Superboys of Malegaon]]'', directed by Reema Kagti won the Best Feature Film award.[https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/superboys-of-malegaon-wins-best-film-at-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-article-12958195.html?utm_]
* ''WingMan (The Universal Irony of Love)'', directed by Anuj Gulati, received the Best Indie Feature Film award.
* ''Parikrama'', directed by Goutam Ghose, was honoured as the Best International Indian Film.
* ''Maa Oori Ramayanam'', a documentary by Badrappa Gajula, won the Best Documentary Feature award.
* ''The Man Who Hurls News'', directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, received the award for Best Documentary (Short).
* ''The Last Show'', directed by Valavan Velmurugan, won the award for Best Short Film.
* ''The Garmentologist'', directed by Debajit Banerjee, received a Special Mention (Short) from the jury.
* ''Misty'', directed by Raja Chatterjee, was awarded the Post‑Production Completion Grant.

== Regional expansion ==

In line with its mission to democratise access to Indian cinema and foster cross-cultural dialogue across Australia, the '''National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA)''' launched '''NIFFA Regional''' in 2025. This initiative extends the festival's reach beyond metropolitan centres, engaging regional communities through film screenings, industry panels, and creative workshops. NIFFA Regional aims to highlight the vibrant diversity of Indian cinema in areas that often have limited access to curated international film events, while also creating platforms for local and South Asian Australian voices.

In June 2025, the National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) launched its first regional edition in Dubbo, New South Wales, as part of its commitment to cultural outreach beyond major cities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-14 |title=National Indian Film Festival of Australia set to hit Dubbo |url=https://www.dubbophotonews.com.au/news/page/national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-set-to-hit-dubbo |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Dubbo Photo News |language=en-AU}}</ref> The three-day event, held from 20 to 22 June 2025 at Dubbo, marked a significant milestone in bringing Indian cinema and industry dialogue to regional Australian audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-21 |title=Bollywood downunder: why one film industry has its eyes on Dubbo |url=https://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/8918563/dubbo-hosts-niffa-an-indian-film-festival-in-australia/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=www.dailyliberal.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref>

The festival opened on Friday, 20 June, with the Australian premiere of the Marathi-language feature [[Ata Thambaycha Naay!|''Ata Thambaycha Naay (Now There’s No Stopping!)'']], a film based on a true story about everyday resilience. The opening night also included a traditional Diya Lamp Ceremony, and a networking canapé reception attended by filmmakers and special guests.

The program featured a curated selection of Indian feature films, documentaries, and short films including ''Arranged Love'', ''Parikrama'', ''WingMan'', ''Maa Oori Ramayanam'', and ''UNSA!D – A Second Chance''. Films were grouped into three themed sessions across Saturday, 21 June, giving audiences a cross-section of emerging and established voices in Indian and diasporic cinema.

The closing film on Sunday, 22 June, was [[Phule (film)|''Phule'']], a [[Zee Studios]]-produced biopic on Indian social reformers [[Savitribai Phule|Savitribai]] and [[Jyotirao Phule]], directed by [[Anant Mahadevan|Ananth Mahadevan]]. The screening was followed by a Q&A session with Achala Datar, Head of Operations at Zee Studios, and a special dance performance

The Dubbo edition of NIFFA demonstrated the festival's commitment to inclusivity and regional outreach, providing access to Indian cinema, professional dialogue, and cultural events outside metropolitan areas. Dubbo's hosting of screenings, workshops, and panels marks a meaningful step in decentralising Australia's cultural landscape and strengthening cross-cultural connections in regional communities. In the spirit of community engagement, the program also included cultural performances, a youth-focused Bollywood-themed night, stand-up comedy, and a DJ afterparty. This regional model of combining film with culturally tailored engagement activities is intended to serve as a template for future NIFFA Regional editions, with each location adapting the programming to reflect its unique local communities and cultural landscape.

== Organisation ==

'''Festival Founder and Director: Anupam Sharma'''

[[Anupam Sharma]] serves as the Founder and Festival Director of NIFFA. An Australian filmmaker of Indian origin, Sharma holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in Film & Theatre from the University of New South Wales, including a postgraduate thesis on Indian cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anupam Sharma - Biography |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1381615/bio/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref> He is widely recognized for pioneering Indo-Australian film collaborations since the late 1990s, working on notable Bollywood films shot in Australia like ''Dil Chahta Hai'' and ''Heyy Babyy'', and has produced and directed Australian films including [[UnIndian|''unINDIAN'' (2015)]]<ref>{{Citation |last=Sharma |first=Anupam |title=UNindian |date=2015-10-15 |type=Comedy, Drama, Romance |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4024210/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1 |access-date=2025-09-23 |others=Brett Lee, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Supriya Pathak |publisher=Films & Casting Temple Pvt. Ltd. Sydney}}</ref> and the documentary [[The Run (film)|''The Run'' (2017)]]<ref>{{Citation |last=Sharma |first=Anupam |title=The Run |type=Documentary, Adventure, Sport |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7696494/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |others=Pat Farmer, Tania Farmer, Joseph Grace |publisher=Films & Casting Temple Pvt. Ltd. Sydney}}</ref>

As the founding head of [[Films and Casting TEMPLE pty ltd|Films & Casting TEMPLE Pty Ltd]] a Sydney-based international production and consultancy firm, Sharma has overseen over 300 screen projects spanning feature films, documentaries, commercials, film festivals, and cross-border productions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anupam Sharma |url=https://creativerep.com.au/artists/anupamsharma/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Creative Representation |language=en-US}}</ref> He currently serves as the Chair of the Australia India Film Council<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slatter |first=Sean |date=2021-11-30 |title=Australia India Film Council announced with Anupam Sharma as chair |url=https://if.com.au/australia-india-film-council-announced-with-anupam-sharma-as-chair/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=IF Magazine |language=en-AU}}</ref> and has previously held roles such as Australia Day Ambassador.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anupam Sharma |url=https://www.mediadiversityaustralia.org/team-members/anupam-sharma/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Media Diversity Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> He was also named among the 50 most influential Australian film professionals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-21 |title=Indian origin filmmaker in Australian movie power list |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/indian-origin-filmmaker-in-australian-movie-power-list/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

'''Co‑Director: Peter Castaldi'''

Peter Castaldi is the Co‑Director of NIFFA, bringing decades of experience in Australian film exhibition, journalism, and festival programming.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryant |first=Sarah |date=2015-03-31 |title=Five Minutes with Peter Castaldi, Curator of Castaldi In Focus |url=https://thebrag.com/five-minutes-peter-castaldi-curator-castaldi-focus/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=The Brag |language=en-AU}}</ref> He managed the [[Valhalla Cinema, Melbourne|Valhalla]] independent cinemas across Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney (1977–1981), worked as producer and presenter across [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]], [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]], and commercial television and radio, and served as artistic director of the ''Goat Island'' film festival (1999–2000).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Castaldi (Goat Island Film Festival 1999) [3 slides] |url=https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/949711 |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=City of Sydney Archives}}</ref>

Castaldi's career includes founding a three-screen cinema complex in Byron Bay, directing regional programs for the [[Australian Film Commission]] (now [[Screen Australia]]), and establishing the theatrical division of [[Umbrella Entertainment]]. He has also co-curated the Australian Film Festival of India in India with Sharma.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australian Film Festival of India |url=http://aafilminitiative.org/#:~:text=Australian%20Film%20Festival%20of%20India&text=The%20Australia%20Film%20Festival%20of,emerging%20and%20non-traditional%20markets. |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=aafilminitiative.org}}</ref> He currently serves as Managing Editor for Education Services and Partnerships at the [[Australian Teachers of Media|Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM)]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLUeVxf7Uyk |title=Peter Castaldi from Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) discusses media in Australia with Informit. |date=2023-11-12 |last=Informit |access-date=2025-09-23 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

'''Nomination Council'''

To maintain transparency and inclusiveness in selection, NIFFA established an all-women Nomination Council in its inaugural year. The Nomination Council comprised distinguished women from the film and media industry. Achala Datar, head of film distribution for [[Zee Studios]] in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, and former executive producer with [[Balaji Telefilms]], brought extensive experience in both Indian and Australian markets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sydney to host South Asian Film Festival of Australia |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/hindi/en/podcast-episode/sydney-to-host-south-asian-film-festival-of-australia/p6xku6g4z |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=SBS Language |language=en}}</ref> Deepti Sachdeva, an award-winning producer with a master's from [[Jamia Millia Islamia]] and a former [[NDTV]] journalist,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=e4m |date=2025-02-19 |title=Deepti Sachdeva joins NDTV as Executive Editor - Exchange4media |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/people-movement-news/deepti-sachdeva-joins-ndtv-as-executive-editor-141033.html |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media |language=en}}</ref> has produced acclaimed works such as ''[[Brand Bollywood Downunder|Bollywood DownUnder]]''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12708250/fullcredits/ |title=Brand Bollywood (2023) - Full cast & crew - IMDb |language=en-US |access-date=2025-09-23 |via=www.imdb.com}}</ref> and [[The Run (film)|''The Run'']],<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7696494/fullcredits/ |title=The Run (2017) - Full cast & crew - IMDb |language=en-US |access-date=2025-09-23 |via=www.imdb.com}}</ref> and has served on juries for the [[Asian Television Awards]], New York Festivals,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jury Members - New York Festivals |url=https://tvfilm.newyorkfestivals.com/jury/list/992a743a-dad9-40b2-8f1d-fcc8c3a5bdda |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=tvfilm.newyorkfestivals.com}}</ref> and [[Banff World Media Festival|BANFF Rockie Awards]]. Neeru Saluja, a seasoned arts journalist and critic with over two decades of experience,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-22 |title=Neeru Saluja |url=https://www.indianlink.com.au/author/neeru-saluja/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Indian Link |language=en-AU}}</ref> has contributed to major festivals including the [[Sydney Film Festival]], [[South by Southwest|SXSW Sydney]], [[WOMADelaide]], the [[AACTA Awards]], and the [[Asia Pacific Screen Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neeru Saluja: NRI Contributor {{!}} Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Neeru-Saluja/nricontributeprofile/10915340.cms?utm_ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref> Rounding out the council is Amruta Apte, an actor, producer, and production coordinator at SBS. Active in theatre and film, she directed the award-winning short film Ankur<ref>{{Cite web |title=48hr film challenge screenings |url=https://www.mwff.org.au/screenings-and-events |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=MWFF |language=en-AU}}</ref> and contributed to the groundbreaking Australian TV series ''[[Four Years Later]]'', which spotlighted South Asian talent.

== Reception ==

The festival received positive coverage from NDTV,<ref name="NDTVCouncil">{{cite web |title=First National Indian Film Festival of Australia Announces All-Women Nomination Council |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/first-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-announces-all-women-nomination-council-7541859}}</ref> The Hindu,<ref name="TheHindu">{{cite web | title=Australian Centre for Indian Cinema announces National Indian Film Festival of Australia | work=The Hindu | date=25 October 2024 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/australian-centre-for-indian-cinema-announces-national-indian-film-festival-of-australia/article68795884.ece }}</ref> ABC,<ref name="ABC">{{cite web | title=First national Indian film festival goes beyond Bollywood | work=ABC News | date=11 March 2025 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-12/national-indian-film-festival-of-australia-movies-what-to-watch/105020212 }}</ref> and The Indian Sun,<ref name="IndianSun1"/> which praised its inclusiveness, cultural focus, and expansion of the Australia–India screen relationship.

== Partners ==

Supporters included [[Dendy Cinemas]], [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS Australia]], [[NDTV India|NDTV]],<ref name="NDTVPartners">{{cite web | title=NDTV, Dendy Cinemas Partner for Australia's 1st National Indian Film Festival | url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ndtv-dendy-cinemas-partner-for-australias-1st-national-indian-film-festival-6869315 }}</ref> the Indian High Commission, [[ICCR]], [[National Film Development Corporation of India|NFDC]], [[Pocket film|Pocket Films]], and Silver Trak Digital.

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:2025 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Film festivals in Australian Capital Territory]]
[[Category:Indian-Australian culture]]
[[Category:Indian diaspora in Australia]]
[[Category:Film festivals in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Film festivals in Queensland]]
[[Category:Film festivals in South Australia]]
[[Category:Film festivals in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Film festivals in Western Australia]]

National Indian Film Festival of Australia - Revision history

Palashkhanra73: creating basic biography w/ infobox - done