Indian Film Festival of Melbourne


The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne was founded in 2012. It is a State Government of Victoria funded annual festival based in Melbourne. It is presented by Film Victoria, and the provider is chosen through a tender process. The current tender provider is Mind Blowing Films, run by Mitu Bhowmick Lange. The festival has currently been provided with State Government funding till 2018.

History

The festival was founded in 2012 by the State Government of Victoria. It was result of the Liberal Party of Australia ’s policy "to strengthen Victoria's ties with the Indian film industries". The policy was first released in October 2006, was funded in November 2010, and implemented in March 2012 through a tender process.
Mind Blowing Films, owned by Mitu Bhowmick Lange, won the tender in March 2012 for three years until 2014, and was given one year extensions by the Liberal National Coalition Government for 2015 and 2016.
In May 2012, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the company behind the Festival was recycling films already released, and so appeared to be using government money to rebadge a festival it had already been running as a commercial enterprise.
In August 2017, South Indian film actress/producer Kushboo accused the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne of discriminating against non-Hindi films and film stars. Mitu Bhowmick Lange responded with "I am very surprised to be honest because we have 60 films in 20 languages. The film festival has always always been about diversity," stating that some of the South Indian actors invited had not been able to attend due to busy schedules.
Mind Blowing Films was again awarded the contract for 2017 and 2018 by the new State Government in November 2016.

Telstra People's Choice Award

This award is given at the Festival for Outstanding Achievement of an Indian film in terms of box office revenue and critical appreciation for an Indian film released in that year. The award was instituted in 2014.

Recipients