The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026 has recognised talent from across India’s film and streaming industries, with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra winning Best Film. Dulquer Salmaan, Rishab Shetty, Vijay Varma, Kirti Kulhari and several established stars were also among the award recipients.
The Malayalam film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra took the festival’s top film honour, marking a significant achievement for the regional industry. Its success reflects the growing international interest in Indian-language productions and stories that draw from local culture while reaching audiences beyond their traditional markets.
Dulquer Salmaan won Best Actor for Kaantha, adding a major international recognition to his career. The actor has worked across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi cinema, establishing a presence across several Indian film industries.
His award also strengthens the profile of Kaantha, placing the Malayalam production among the notable films recognised at this year’s festival.
Rishab Shetty secured Best Director for Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1. He also received the Leadership in Cinema honour, making him one of the evening’s most recognised individual figures.
Shetty has played a prominent role in taking Kannada storytelling to wider audiences. The Kantara franchise has combined commercial filmmaking with folklore and regional traditions, helping create interest in stories rooted in Karnataka’s cultural landscape.
Vijay Varma won Best Actor (Series) for Matka King, highlighting the growing role of streaming productions in Indian screen awards. The performance recognition places him among the festival’s leading winners from the digital entertainment space.
The series categories also recognised Rasika Dugal, who won Best Actress (Series) for Delhi Crime 3. Freedom At Midnight Season 2 was named Best Series, showing the breadth of work being produced for streaming audiences.
In the film acting categories, Kirti Kulhari won Best Actress for Full Plate. The award added another contemporary performance to a list that brought together actors working across different genres and languages.
IFFM also used the occasion to celebrate some of Hindi cinema’s most established performers. Rekha received the Excellence in Cinema honour, recognising her long-standing contribution to Indian films.
Rani Mukerji was honoured for completing 30 years in the film industry. Her career has included mainstream successes as well as roles in films centred on social issues and personal struggles.
Pankaj Tripathi received the Artist of Distinction award. With credits spanning films and streaming projects, Tripathi has become one of the most familiar faces in contemporary Hindi entertainment.
The festival’s awards extended beyond mainstream productions. Rima Das’ Not a Hero won Best Indie Film, while The Great Shamshuddin Family received a special mention. No Good Men was named Best Film from the Subcontinent, and Flying Tigers won Best Documentary Film.
The People’s Choice Award went to Saiyaara, while Sitaare Zameen Par received the Equality in Cinema Award. Simran Mangeshkar received a special mention in the same category.
The festival also recognised short-form filmmaking. The Weight of Soil won the Australian Short Film award, while Jo’s Turn was named the winner in the Indian Short Film category.
The range of winners illustrates the changing landscape of Indian entertainment. Hindi cinema continues to have a strong presence, but Malayalam and Kannada productions have also secured some of the festival’s most prominent honours. Streaming series, documentaries and independent films have received space alongside mainstream releases.
This broader representation is increasingly important as Indian films find audiences outside the country. International festivals provide filmmakers with opportunities to introduce regional stories to viewers who may not otherwise encounter them.
At the same time, the honours for Rekha, Rani Mukerji and Pankaj Tripathi show the continued influence of performers who have shaped Hindi cinema over several decades.
The 2026 IFFM awards therefore brought together different generations, languages and formats under one platform. The results ranged from a Malayalam film winning the top prize to a Kannada filmmaker taking Best Director and a Hindi actor earning the leading series acting award.
For Indian cinema, the significance extends beyond individual trophies. Recognition at an international festival can help films gain visibility, encourage cross-border audiences and strengthen the profile of regional industries.
This year’s results particularly underline the expanding reach of Malayalam and Kannada cinema. At the same time, the strong showing of streaming content suggests that international recognition is no longer limited to theatrical releases.
