IFFM 2026: Aamir Khan, Mammootty, Kantara Chapter 1 among nominees
Synopsis
The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne has dropped its nominations and the lineup is a pan-Indian sweep — Aamir Khan, Mammootty, and Ranveer Singh battle for Best Actor while Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 competes for top film honours. Running 13-23 August 2026 in Melbourne with Victorian Government backing, IFFM remains Indian cinema's most prominent global stage outside Asia.
Key Takeaways
The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) runs from 13 to 23 August 2026 , supported by the Victorian Government .
Best Film nominees include Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 , Saiyaara , Haq , Sitaare Zameen Par , and Jarann , among others.
Best Performance (Male) contenders: Aamir Khan , Mammootty , Ranveer Singh , Dulquer Salmaan , Rishab Shetty , and Sanjay Mishra .
Best Performance (Female) nominees include Rani Mukerji , Neena Gupta , Yami Gautam Dhar , and Rajshri Deshpande .
Winners will be selected by a jury from Australia's film and cultural industry.
The festival will also feature premieres, masterclasses, and industry panels across its 11-day programme.
The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), scheduled from 13 to 23 August 2026, has unveiled its nominations across major categories, with Aamir Khan, Mammootty, Ranveer Singh, Ahaan Pandey, and films including Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1, Saiyaara, and Haq among the leading contenders. The festival, backed by the Victorian Government, remains the premier global platform for Indian cinema outside the subcontinent.
Films in the Running
The Best Film category sees a diverse slate spanning languages and genres. Nominated titles include Haq, Jarann, Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, Saiyaara, Sitaare Zameen Par, Sharthopor, and The Great Shamsuddin Family. The selection reflects the festival's consistent effort to spotlight pan-Indian storytelling — from Hindi blockbusters to regional-language cinema.
Acting Nominations
The Best Performance (Male) category features Aamir Khan, Ahaan Pandey, Bhuman Bhargav Das, Dulquer Salmaan, Mammootty, Ranveer Singh, Rishab Shetty, and Sanjay Mishra — a lineup that cuts across Bollywood, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema. In the Best Performance (Female) category, nominees include Aneet Padda, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Kirti Kulhari, Neena Gupta, Rajshri Deshpande, Rani Mukerji, Rituparna Sengupta, and Yami Gautam Dhar.
Direction and Series Categories
Eight filmmakers are competing for Best Director: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Chandrasish Ray, Mohit Suri, Ramalingam Gowtham, Rima Das, Rishab Shetty, R.S. Prasanna, and Shazia Iqbal. The Best Series nominations include Baai Tujhyapayi, Kohrra: Season 2, Matka King, Real Kashmir Football Club, Sapne Vs Everyone, The Bastards of Bollywood, Perfect Family, and Freedom at Midnight: Season 2. Series performance nominees span both male and female categories, with names including Vijay Varma, Barun Sobti, Shefali Shah, Huma Qureshi, and Rasika Dugal, among others.
What to Expect at IFFM 2026
Beyond the awards, the 17th IFFM will host film premieres, special screenings, panel discussions, masterclasses, and industry events over its 11-day run in Melbourne. Winners will be determined by a jury drawn from Australia's film and cultural community. This edition once again underscores the festival's role as a bridge between Indian cinema and global audiences, with the Victorian Government's continued support signalling strong bilateral cultural ties.
Point of View
Dulquer Salmaan, Rishab Shetty, and regional-language films like Sharthopor and Lokah Chapter 1 sit alongside Hindi marquee names. That breadth is the real story. Indian cinema's global footprint is no longer a Hindi-first proposition, and IFFM's jury will be making a statement about which kind of storytelling it believes deserves the world's attention. The series category, with Freedom at Midnight and Kohrra in the mix, also signals that streaming-native content is now a full peer of theatrical releases at prestige festivals.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026?
The 17th IFFM will be held in Melbourne, Australia, from 13 to 23 August 2026. The festival is supported by the Victorian Government and features awards, premieres, masterclasses, and industry events.
Which films are nominated for Best Film at IFFM 2026?
The Best Film nominees are Haq, Jarann, Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, Saiyaara, Sitaare Zameen Par, Sharthopor, and The Great Shamsuddin Family.
Who are the Best Actor nominees at IFFM 2026?
The Best Performance (Male) nominees are Aamir Khan, Ahaan Pandey, Bhuman Bhargav Das, Dulquer Salmaan, Mammootty, Ranveer Singh, Rishab Shetty, and Sanjay Mishra.
Who are the Best Actress nominees at IFFM 2026?
The Best Performance (Female) nominees are Aneet Padda, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Kirti Kulhari, Neena Gupta, Rajshri Deshpande, Rani Mukerji, Rituparna Sengupta, and Yami Gautam Dhar.
Which series are nominated at IFFM 2026?
The Best Series nominees include Baai Tujhyapayi, Kohrra: Season 2, Matka King, Real Kashmir Football Club, Sapne Vs Everyone, The Bastards of Bollywood, Perfect Family, and Freedom at Midnight: Season 2.
