The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM 2026) has announced its winners, with Rishab Shetty, Dulquer Salmaan, Kirti Kulhari, Vijay Varma and Rasika Dugal among the evening’s top honourees.
The 2026 edition of IFFM celebrated the growing global influence and diversity of Indian cinema, bringing together established voices, emerging filmmakers and stories spanning mainstream films, streaming, independent cinema, documentaries and shorts, while continuing to provide a global platform for Indian storytellers and fostering cinematic exchange between India and Australia.
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra was named Best Film, while Rishab Shetty won Best Director for Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 and was also honoured with the Leadership in Cinema award. Dulquer Salmaan won Best Actor for Kaantha, while Kirti Kulhari took home Best Actress for Full Plate.
Among the major honours, Rekha received the Excellence in Cinema award, while Pankaj Tripathi was named Artist of Distinction. Rani Mukerji was celebrated for 30 Years of her career.
In the streaming categories, Vijay Varma won Best Actor (Series) for Matka King, Rasika Dugal won Best Actress (Series) for Delhi Crime 3, and Freedom At Midnight Season 2 was named Best Series.
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: Kirti Kulhari – Full Plate
Best Film from the Subcontinent: No Good Men – 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
