Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 Winners: Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan Shine

Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 Winners: The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 hosted its annual Awards Night, celebrating the very best in Indian cinema. In a night filled with applause, emotion, and cinematic pride, (Indian Film Festival Melbourne 2025 schedule) filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s poignant drama Homebound emerged as a double winner, taking home the titles of Best Film and Best Director.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan was honoured with the prestigious Excellence in Cinema Award, (IFFM 2025 red carpet highlights) recognising his decades-long contribution to the craft and his unmatched influence on the industry. The Best Actor (Male) award was presented to Abhishek Bachchan for his stellar performance in I Want to Talk, (IFFM 2025 opening night ceremony) with a Special Mention going to Gugun Kigpen for Boong.

The winners across all categories reflected the diversity and depth of talent in Indian cinema today: (IFFM 2025 Melbourne award winners)

IFFM 2025 Award Winners – Complete List

• Best Film: Homebound
• Best Director: Neeraj Ghaywan (Homebound)
• Best Indie Film: Angammal
• Best Actor (Male) – Film: Abhishek Bachchan (I Want to Talk)
• Special Mention – Best Actor (Male) – Film: Gugun Kigpen (Boong)
• Best Actor (Female) – Film: Geetha Kailasam (Angammal)
• Best Series: Black Warrant
• Best Actor (Male) – Series: Jaideep Ahlawat (Paatal Lok Season 2)
• Best Actor (Female) – Series: Nimisha Sajayan (Dabba Cartel)
• Excellence in Cinema: Aamir Khan
• Leadership in Cinema: Arvind Swamy
• Disruptor Award: Vir Das
• Diversity in Cinema: Aditi Rao Hydari
• Equality in Cinema: Baksho Bondi
• ⁠Best Short Film (India) - Kalar Pencils by Dhananjay Santosh Goregaonkar
• Best Short Film (Australia) - Drifters by David Liu

Aamir Khan expressed his win, “I have been attracted to telling stories from a very young age. Filmmaking is a collaborative art and this award and recognition wouldn’t have been possible without my writers, directors, co-stars, (Indian Film Festival Melbourne 2025 tickets) and the audiences who have given me the opportunity to tell the stories and be part of the many stories I have been part of”. (IFFM 2025 Melbourne closing ceremony)

Arvind Swamy expressed, “I’m still a student of cinema even though I have been given leadership in cinema for my work. If anyone offers me a role event today that’s in my comfort zone, I wouldn’t do it; I always want roles that challenge me. I’m grateful for the recognition he gave the (IFFM 2025 celebrity appearances Melbourne) Leadership in Cinema award at IFFM 2025”.

An emotional Abhishek Bachchan, who won the best actor award, said, “ Life has come full circle for me. I came here in 2022, where I was feted with the Excellence in Cinema Award for my body of work. But this is an emotional moment for me to get the best actor on this very stage and be recognised for my role in a film that’s extremely special to me. It was 3 years back in Melbourne at this same festival where Shoojit Da offered me this role in I Want To Talk. It was Shoojit Da who believed in me that I could pull off this role, and this role is an ode to my father and my daughter because it’s about caring and raising a parent”. 

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The 16th edition of IFFM has once again brought together filmmakers, actors, and audiences in a shared celebration of creativity, culture, and cinematic excellence — cementing its place as the largest Indian film festival outside of India. The festival will continue till 24th August, where Homebound will be the closing film.

FAQs

1. What is the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM)?
   It’s an annual festival based in Melbourne, founded in 2010, dedicated to showcasing Indian cinema—Bollywood, regional films, documentaries, and more—to Australian audiences. It includes screenings, culture, flag-hoisting, and competitions.

2. When does IFFM usually take place?
   Traditionally, it runs in mid-August, coinciding with India’s Independence Day celebrations.

3. Who directs and organizes IFFM?
   The festival is organized by Mind Blowing Films under director Mitu Bhowmick Lange, an Indian-Australian filmmaker who founded IFFM. 

4. What kinds of events happen at IFFM?
   Expect film screenings (including regional and indie), panel discussions, masterclasses, flag hoisting, and ceremonies celebrating cinema and culture.

5. How diverse is the film line-up at IFFM?
   In 2025, the festival features over 75 films across 31 languages, offering a vibrant representation of Indian cinema’s linguistic and regional depth. 

6. When was IFFM 2025 held?
   The 16th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne ran from August 14 to 24, 2025. 

7. Who was the Chief Guest at IFFM 2025?
   Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan served as the Chief Guest, inaugurating the festival with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony.

8. Which films and tributes stood out at IFFM 2025?

   • The restored version of India’s first LGBTQ-themed film, Badnam Basti, was the festival’s highlighted restoration.

   • The festival also paid tribute to filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak on his birth centenary.

9. What awards were given at IFFM 2025?

   • Homebound (Neeraj Ghaywan) won Best Film and Best Director.

   • Aamir Khan received the Excellence in Cinema award.

   • Abhishek Bachchan earned Best Actor (Film), Jaideep Ahlawat took Best Actor (Series), and Nimisha Sajayan won Best Actress (Series).

10. How did IFFM 2025 connect with Indian Independence Day celebrations?
    Aamir Khan hoisted the Indian national flag in Melbourne as part of the annual flag-hoisting tradition held during the festival.

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