IFFM 2026 winners: Rishab Shetty named Best Director for Kantara; Rekha gets ‘Excellence in Cinema’ honour

The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) has announced its 2026 winners, celebrating a diverse mix of films, performances and storytellers from India and across the subcontinent.

The awards recognised established stars alongside independent filmmakers, emerging talent and stories exploring different facets of Indian cinema. Among the major winners were Rishab Shetty, Dulquer Salmaan, Kirti Kulhari, Vijay Varma and Rasika Dugal.

Veteran actor Rekha was honoured with the Excellence in Cinema award, while Rani Mukerji received a special recognition for completing 30 years in the film industry.

IFFM 2026 full winners list

• 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, presented by La Trobe: 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: Rani Mukerji — 30 Years
• Leadership in Cinema: Rishab Shetty
• Excellence in Cinema: Rekha

Celebrating Indian cinema globally

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is one of the major platforms showcasing Indian cinema outside the country. The festival brings together films from different regions of India as well as productions from across the Indian subcontinent.

IFFM places particular emphasis on diversity, inclusion and equality in storytelling, highlighting films and creators representing varied communities and experiences.

The 2026 awards reflected that broad approach, spanning mainstream theatrical releases, streaming series, independent cinema, documentaries and short films. The festival’s winners demonstrated the growing reach of Indian storytelling among international audiences while recognising both established performers and emerging filmmakers.