Bollywood actor Vidya Balan will be the chief guest at the inaugural Indian Film Festival of Perth (IFFP), scheduled to take place from January 22 to 24, 2027, in Western Australia. The three-day event aims to celebrate the diversity of Indian cinema and strengthen cultural connections between India and Australia.
Known for acclaimed performances in films such as Kahaani, The Dirty Picture, Paa and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Vidya will officially inaugurate the festival’s first edition. Her participation adds a prominent name to an initiative designed to introduce more audiences in Western Australia to Indian films and storytelling.
Indian Film Festival of Perth to celebrate diverse stories
The Indian Film Festival of Perth is being organised by the team behind the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) and the Indian Film Festival of Sydney (IFFS). With the new edition, the organisers are extending their celebration of Indian cinema to another Australian city.
The festival aims to showcase the breadth of Indian filmmaking across languages, genres and perspectives. It also hopes to create opportunities for filmmakers, creative professionals and audiences to engage with one another through cinema.
The Perth edition arrives amid efforts to deepen cultural exchanges between India and Australia, with film serving as a platform for sharing stories and experiences across communities.
Festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange welcomes Perth edition
Festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM described the launch as an important milestone for the festival team, which has already established events in Melbourne and Sydney.
“Bringing the Indian Film Festival to Perth is a very special milestone for us. Having built platforms for Indian cinema in Melbourne and Sydney, we are delighted to now bring this celebration to Western Australia and connect with a new community of audiences and film lovers,” she said.
Emphasising cinema’s ability to foster understanding between different communities, Lange added, “Cinema has a remarkable ability to bring people together, transcend borders and create a deeper understanding of one another.”
She also welcomed Vidya Balan’s association with the inaugural edition, expressing the organisers’ intention to create a festival that celebrates the diversity of Indian storytelling while building meaningful cultural connections between India and Western Australia.
Vidya Balan’s association with Indian cinema
Vidya Balan has earned recognition for performances in films featuring complex characters and strong female protagonists. Her filmography includes titles such as Kahaani, The Dirty Picture and Paa, which have contributed to her standing as one of Hindi cinema’s prominent performers.
Her role as chief guest at the new Perth festival aligns with the event’s broader aim of celebrating the many voices and perspectives represented in Indian cinema.
Festival announced during Western Australia Premier’s India visit
The Indian Film Festival of Perth was announced during Western Australia Premier Roger Cook’s visit to India. The initiative is intended to encourage cultural collaboration and create opportunities for audiences and film professionals from both regions to connect.
In addition to film screenings, the organisers hope the festival will provide a setting for conversations, creative partnerships and wider cultural exchange.
The inaugural Indian Film Festival of Perth will run from January 22 to 24, 2027. Details about the film selection, screening schedule and wider programme are yet to be announced.
