IFFM Strengthens India–Australia Screen Ties at IFFI Goa; Major New Creative Partnerships Announced

Actor and filmmaker Rachel Griffiths, and director Garth Davis (Lion) are part of a delegation of Australian screen leaders attending the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) this week for the signing of a historic memorandum of understanding, as well as panels, masterclasses and the screening of the newly restored in 4K, Australian classic, ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ with Rachel Griffithsgracing the red carpet.

One of India’s most prestigious cinematic events, IFFI is taking place from 20th to 28th November in Panjim, Goa.

The Australian screen delegation is led by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) who will sign an MOU with IFFI launching a three year partnership between the Australian and Indian screen industries. In total three MOU’s will be signed with other key signatories including Deakin University, the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), and PVR INOX, India’s top cinema chain. The Hon Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Councillor Nick Reece will also be in attendance for this historic event.

The MOU’s focus is on four key areas: co-productions and festival exchange - creating a structured model for filmmakers from both countries to collaborate and participate in IFFI and IFFM; distribution access - a partnership with PVR INOX, India’s top cinema chain, to ensure consistent nationwide releases of Australian films; education and training - academic exchange and curriculum development between Deakin University’s Film School, FTII and IICT, and the showcasing of Australian films with a dedicated platform at IFFI to feature Australian cinema. 

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, IFFM Director and Founder/Director, Mind Blowing Films said: These MOUs will strengthen collaboration between the Australian and Indian creative industries,establishing a partnership focused on co productions and Festival exchanges, distribution access,education and training and the showcasing of Australian films, and together launching a new era of Indo – Australian screen collaboration. 

We are delighted to be joined at IFFI by such a remarkable delegation of Australian screen practitioners, demonstrating the strength of talent in this country.

The Australian delegates are leading figures from filmmaking, production, animation, and music including, Jamie Hilton, award-winning Producer (Breath, The Runt, The Waiting City); Garth Davis, award winning Director (Lion, Mary Magdalene); Rachel Griffiths AM ( actor/filmmaker);

- GTC PUNJABI