The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM 2026) celebrated some of the biggest names and standout works in Indian cinema, honouring films, series, documentaries, and independent productions from across Indian film industry.
One of the biggest winners was Rishab Shetty, who received the Best Director award for Kantara: A Legend-Chapter 1. He was also honoured with the Leadership in Cinema Award.
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra won Best Film award, while The Great Shamshuddin Family received a Special Mention. Actor Dulquer Salman won the Best Actor award for his performance in Kaantha, while Kirthi Kulhari won Best Actress for Full Plate.
A few other well-know names were also honoured for their contribution to cinema. Veteran actress Rekha, received the Excellence in Cinema Award, while Pankaj Tripathi was named Artist of Distinction. Rani Mukerji received special recognition as she celebrated 30 years in the film industry.
The streaming categories had Vijay Varma as the Best Actor in a series for Matka King and Rasika Dugal as the Best Actress for Delhi Crime 3. Freedom At Midnight Season 2 was named the Best Series.
Full List of IFFM 2026 Winner:
- Best Film: Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra
- Best Film-Special Mention: The Great Shamshuddin Family
- Best Indie Film: Not a Hero-Rima Das
- Special Mention-Indie Film: Kikkran De Phull (Flowers of Acacia)
- Best Director: Rishab Shetty-Kantara: A Legend-Chapter 1
- Best Actor: Dulquer Salmaan-Kaantha
- Best Actress: Kirthi Kulhari-Full Plate
- Best Film from the Subcontinent: No Good Man-Shahrbanoo Sadat
- Best Documentary Film: Flying Tigers-Madhushree Dutta
- People’s Choice Award: Saiyaara
- Equality in Cinema Award: Sitaare Zameen Par
- Special Mention-Equality in Cinema: Simran Mangeshkar-Sitaare Zameen Par
- Rainbow Storyteller Award: Lala and Poppy
- Short Film Competition (Australia): The Weight of Soil
- Short Film Competition (India): Jo’s Turn
- Best Actor (Series): Vijay Varma-Matka King
- Best Actress (Series): Rasika Dugal-Delhi Crime 3
- Best Series: Freedom At Midnight Season 2
- Artist of Distinction: Pankaj Tripathi
- Special Recognition: 30 years of Rani Mukerji
- Leadership in Cinema: Rishab Shetty
- Excellence in Cinema: Rekha
IFFM 2026 once again has shown the wide range of stories coming from Indian cinema, bringing together mainstream films, streaming projects, independent cinema, documentaries and short films on a international stage.
Sources: Cinema Express
