Four-year commitment aims to strengthen IFFM, attract international talent and deepen Victoria’s cultural ties with India.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) would receive $2.8 million over four years under a future Victorian Liberal and Nationals Government, as part of a commitment to secure the festival’s future and support its expansion across the state.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson MP announced the pledge during the IFFM Awards Night at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on August 13th. The proposed investment would provide the festival with $700,000 annually for four years.
Recognised as the largest annual celebration of Indian cinema outside India, IFFM has grown into a major fixture on Melbourne’s cultural calendar. Each year, it brings filmmakers, actors, industry leaders and audiences together through screenings, awards, discussions and community events.
The commitment also builds upon the Liberal Party’s historical connection with the festival. IFFM received its inaugural Victorian Government funding in 2012 under former Liberal Premier Ted Baillieu, helping it develop from a local cultural event into an internationally recognised screen festival.
Ms Wilson said the new commitment would provide IFFM with greater certainty while allowing it to attract more films, filmmakers and visitors to Victoria.
“It was a Liberal Government, under the leadership of my friend Ted Baillieu, who backed the vision for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne,” Ms Wilson said.
“A future Wilson Liberal and Nationals Government is proud to build on that foundation with a landmark $2.8 million commitment over four years.
“This funding will give the festival the certainty it needs to keep growing, bringing more films, more filmmakers and more visitors to Victoria, and keeping Melbourne firmly on the map as India’s film industry looks to the world.”
Beyond celebrating cinema, the festival has become an important platform for cultural exchange between India and Australia. It also creates opportunities for international screen collaborations while generating activity across Victoria’s arts, hospitality and tourism sectors.
Shadow Minister for Arts and Creative Industries David Davis MP said supporting IFFM would strengthen Melbourne’s standing as a leading destination for arts and culture.
“The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is one of the great success stories of Victorian cultural and creative arts policy,” Mr Davis said.
“This festival brings extraordinary talent, investment and audiences to our state every year and strengthens Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s cultural capital.”
He said the four-year commitment would support local creative-industry employment, encourage tourism and provide a stronger platform for partnerships between Australian and international screen industries.
Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs Evan Mulholland MP said the festival also reflected the contribution of Victoria’s Indian community to the state’s cultural, economic and social life.
“IFFM is more than a film festival; it is a cornerstone event that brings communities together and celebrates shared heritage,” Mr Mulholland said.
“This funding is about backing that community and making sure this festival, which means so much to so many Victorians, has the certainty to keep growing.”
If elected, the Liberal and Nationals Coalition says the four-year funding arrangement would offer IFFM greater stability than year-to-year support, enabling its organisers to plan future programs, broaden the festival’s reach and continue showcasing Indian cinema to Australian and international audiences.
G’day India
