The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 celebrated Indian cinema with a sense of pride, purpose, and global resonance. From powerhouse performances to films that moved hearts across continents, this year’s awards night showcased the best of storytelling, acting and creative vision on a global stage.
Best Film & Best Director: Homebound Dominates the Night
At the heart of IFFM 2025’s awards was the film “Homebound”, which emerged as the most celebrated title of the evening. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film was honoured with both Best Film and Best Director, marking a sweeping victory that captured both critical and audience admiration.
Homebound explores themes of belonging, displacement and the emotional journey of returning to one’s roots — a narrative that resonated deeply with festival jurors and viewers alike. Its dual win reflects not just technical excellence but a universal emotional pull that defines standout cinema.
Neeraj Ghaywan has carved a reputation for blending socially urgent storytelling with cinematic nuance — a continuity that this win reinforces on a global celebration platform.
Standout Acting Honours: Power and Range Recognised
IFFM 2025 honoured performances across both film and series formats, acknowledging the rich breadth of Indian acting talent.
Best Actor & Best Actress — Feature Films
- Best Actor (Male) — Film: Abhishek Bachchan, for I Want to Talk. In reflecting on the award, he shared that being recognized at IFFM was a deeply personal moment, especially after receiving earlier honours at the festival in 2022.
- Special Mention — Best Actor (Male) — Film: Gugun Kigpen for Boong, recognising his distinct and compelling portrayal.
- Best Actor (Female) — Film: Geetha Kailasam for her luminous performance in Angammal, an indie film that also carved its own place in the awards lineup.
Best Actor & Best Actress — Series
- Best Actor (Male) — Series: Jaideep Ahlawat, for his riveting work in Paatal Lok Season 2.
- Best Actor (Female) — Series: Nimisha Sajayan, for her role in Dabba Cartel.
These acting honours reinforced how performance art is thriving in both traditional cinema and long-form streaming narratives at IFFM.
Special Awards: A Tribute to Legacy and Innovation
IFFM 2025 also spotlighted individuals whose contributions extend well beyond a single role or film.
- Excellence in Cinema: Aamir Khan was honoured for his decades-long impact on Indian cinema, acknowledging his storytelling influence and artistic legacy.
- Leadership in Cinema: Arvind Swamy received recognition for his sustained craft and creative leadership.
- Disruptor Award: Vir Das was celebrated for bringing fresh energy and boundary-pushing perspective to entertainment.
- Diversity in Cinema: Aditi Rao Hydari was honoured for expanding inclusivity and representation onscreen.
- Equality in Cinema: The film Baksho Bondi was recognised specifically for its commitment to equality in storytelling.
These awards reflect IFFM’s broader mission to recognise not just cinematic excellence but the varied ways individuals and films contribute to evolving the art form.
Celebrating Shorts and Global Storytelling
IFFM’s commitment to diverse voices was also evident in its short film categories:
- Best Short Film (India): Kalar Pencils by Dhananjay Santosh Goregaonkar.
- Best Short Film (Australia): Drifters by David Liu.
These recognitions reinforce how short-form storytelling continues to gain respect as a vital part of film culture.
Reflecting on a Night of Artistic Pride
IFFM 2025’s awards night was not only a showcase of winners but a testament to Indian cinema’s global footprint and narrative richness. Many of these films and talents will continue to travel beyond festivals into wider audiences and real world conversations.
For a complete list of winners, you can explore the official list on the IFFM site here or read the full winners breakdown here.
