Aamir Khan to Lead Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 – Dates, Tickets, and Full Nominee List

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Written by Michelle

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Alt tag: Crowd gathered at Federation Square for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 with festival banners, stage setup, and Australian and Indian flags.
Alt tag: Crowd gathered at Federation Square for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 with festival banners, stage setup, and Australian and Indian flags.
This event has already taken place. The information below is kept for reference and reflects details from when the event was held.

Quick Summary

Subject Key Details
Festival Dates 14–24 August 2025
Chief Guest Aamir Khan will inaugurate the festival and hoist the Indian flag
Key Venues HOYTS District Docklands, Village Cinemas, MCEC
Ticket Range $30–$200 (Awards Night premium seating)
Opening Film Boong (Victorian premiere)
Closing Film Homebound
Special Tributes Ritwik Ghatak, Guru Dutt centenaries
Notable Performer Lisa Mishra – live performance debut
Awards Night 15 August 2025 at MCEC Plenary Theatre

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 celebrates Indian cinema with Aamir Khan at the helm

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 runs from 14 to 24 August 2025, showcasing over 75 films in 31 languages across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Aamir Khan will serve as Chief Guest, inaugurating the festival, hoisting the Indian flag on Independence Day, and attending a retrospective screening of his acclaimed works.

When and where is IFFM 2025 happening?

IFFM 2025 will run from 14 to 24 August 2025 across Melbourne venues, including HOYTS District Docklands, Village Cinemas, and regional locations like Geelong, Shepparton, Bendigo, and Ballarat.

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This broad venue network makes the festival accessible to audiences across Victoria, not just Melbourne’s CBD.

How much are tickets for IFFM 2025?

IFFM 2025 tickets range from $30 to $200, depending on the event and seating category.

  • Standard screenings: $30–$40
  • Festival passes: Available via iffm.com.au
  • Awards Night Gala (15 August, MCEC Plenary Theatre):
    • Flat Floor Seating – ~$200
    • Gala Seating – $120–$160
    • Fixed Tiered Seating – $30–$120
    • Discounts may apply with code EARLYBIRD (subject to availability)

Early booking is recommended as lower tiers for the Awards Night often sell out weeks in advance.

Which films and stars are featured at IFFM 2025?

IFFM 2025 features a diverse program of cinema, including premieres, tributes, and regional showcases.

  • Opening Film: Boong – a Manipuri drama produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani
  • Closing Film: Homebound – directed by Neeraj Ghaywan
  • Special Tributes: Celebrating the 100th anniversaries of Ritwik Ghatak and Guru Dutt
  • Bengali Cinema Focus: Nine feature films, both restored classics and new narratives
  • Live Performance: Singer-actor Lisa Mishra performing for the first time at IFFM

Who are the nominees for the IFFM 2025 Awards?

Best Film

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  • Homebound, Kalki 2898 AD, L2: Empuraan, Maharaj, Stree 2, Superboys of Malegaon

Best Indie Film

  • Angammal, Baksho Bondi, Boong, Feminichi Fathima, Humans in the Loop, Village Rockstars 2, We Are Faheem and Karun

Best Actor – Male (Film)

  • Abhishek Bachchan (I Want to Talk), Ishaan Khatter (Homebound), Mohanlal (L2: Empuraan), Gugun Kipgen (Boong), Junaid Khan (Maharaj), Vishal Jethwa (Homebound), Manoj Bajpayee (The Fable), Adarsh Gourav (Superboys of Malegaon)

Best Actor – Female (Film)

  • Kareena Kapoor Khan (The Buckingham Murders), Sharmila Tagore (Puratawn), Shraddha Kapoor (Stree 2), Anjali Sivaraman (Bad Girl), Bhanita Das (Village Rockstars 2), Tillotama Shome (Baksho Bondi), Geetha Kailasam (Angammal), Shamla Hamza (Feminichi Fathima)

Best Director (Film)

  • Neeraj Ghaywan (Homebound), Reema Kagti (Superboys of Malegaon), Rima Das (Village Rockstars 2), Lakshmipriya Devi (Boong), Onir (We Are Faheem and Karun), Aranya Sahay (Humans in the Loop), Varsha Bharath (Bad Girls), Vipin Radhakrishnan (Angammal)

Best Web Series

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  • Paatal Lok S2, Black Warrant, Manorathangal, Kota Factory S3, Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper, Khauf, Gyaarah Gyaarah, Thallivattam Palayam

Why Aamir Khan’s role at IFFM 2025 is significant

Aamir Khan’s presence as Chief Guest reinforces IFFM’s reputation as the premier Indian cinema event outside India. His Independence Day flag hoisting at Federation Square is expected to be one of the most attended public moments of the festival.

For many attendees, the opportunity to see Aamir Khan in person, alongside screenings of his latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par, will be a major highlight.

How to attend the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025

  • Book tickets via iffm.com.au or authorised partners like HOYTS, Village Cinemas, and DryTickets.
  • Plan travel using Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone for CBD venues, or regional V/Line services for outer-city screenings.
  • Arrive early for gala events, especially the Awards Night on 15 August at MCEC.

If you are planning your August calendar, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is just one of many major celebrations happening this year.

You can explore more cultural, music, and food festivals across the city in our full Festivals in Melbourne 2025 guide, which lists dates, venues, and insider tips to make the most of every event.

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