The National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) has closed its 2026 edition after a nationwide programme that reached cities, regional communities and the outback, with organisers announcing New South Wales as the festival’s focus state for 2027.
The festival concluded with events across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, bringing together filmmakers, industry figures and audiences to celebrate Indian cinema while highlighting opportunities for closer collaboration between the Australian and Indian screen sectors.
This year’s top awards recognised a range of independent productions. Jeejivisha Kale’s Marathi drama Tighee (Motherhood) received Best Indie Feature, while Ankur Arun Kakatkar’s Mumbai-set romance Courage won Best International Indie Feature. Chintan Kamlesh Parekh’s Gottipua: Beyond Borders claimed Best Documentary after its world premiere at the festival, and Khwabeeda, directed by Beybaar and Vishal Tiwari, received Best Short Film in partnership with Pocket Films.
Organisers highlighted that the producers behind both winning feature films are graduates of Australian film schools, reflecting the growing contribution of Australian-trained filmmakers to India’s independent cinema sector.
Across its 2026 programme, NIFFA presented more than 39 films in 15 Indian languages through over 200 screenings, alongside workshops, masterclasses, red carpet events and industry discussions. The festival was held in more than 13 locations across Australia, extending beyond major capital cities into regional centres and remote communities.
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Industry engagement formed a key part of the closing events. Filmmakers Anubhav Sinha and Leena Yadav accepted NIFFA’s Nishtha Awards in person, while veteran film trade analyst Komal Nahta travelled to Australia to receive the Vimarsh Samman. Conversations during the festival also focused on the India-Australia co-production treaty and the opportunities it offers producers looking to work across both countries.
Earlier in the festival, actor and filmmaker Anupam Kher was presented with the Indian International Cinema Icon Award.
Festival Director Anupam Sharma said NIFFA had developed into a national platform connecting cinema, culture, community and business between Australia and India.
He said the festival had an important role in encouraging cultural exchange and bringing communities together through storytelling, particularly at a time when debates around migration and multiculturalism remain prominent.
Queensland MP John-Paul Langbroek, State Member for Surfers Paradise, said festivals such as NIFFA help strengthen cultural and creative links between Australia and India while celebrating diverse stories on screen.
Looking ahead, the festival confirmed New South Wales will take centre stage in 2027.
NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism and Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper welcomed the announcement, saying NIFFA had grown into the largest national celebration of Indian cinema outside India and that the state looked forward to hosting an expanded programme next year.
The festival’s growth has attracted support from government agencies and cultural organisations in both countries. Australian partners included Screen Queensland, Screen NSW, the City of Perth, Creative Industries WA and the City of Brisbane, alongside Indian community organisations nationwide.
NIFFA has also secured a three-year commitment from Destination NSW and a two-year commitment from the Northern Territory Government through Tourism and Events NT and Screen Territory. Regional organisations including West Darling Arts in Broken Hill and the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs supported screenings that extended the festival into parts of outback Australia.
Support also came from India’s National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and India’s diplomatic missions across Australia, reflecting continued backing for cultural and industry links between the two countries.
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