Boong, the first Indian film to win a BAFTA award in the Children and Family Film category, opened the second edition of the National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA), organisers announced.

The festival, regarded as one of the largest celebrations of Indian cinema outside India, will run from March 18 to July 5. Over 32 films in 18 Indian languages are set to be screened across 14 cities in Australia, with all entries marking their Australian premieres.

The opening ceremony was hosted by the Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong in collaboration with the Geelong Waterfront Film Foundation.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher will be conferred with the International Indian Cinema Icon Award at the festival. Known for acclaimed films such as Bend It Like Beckham, Silver Linings Playbook, and The Big Sick, Kher said Australia holds “a very special place” in his heart.

“Festivals like this play an important role in building cultural bridges and allowing cinema to travel across borders, languages, and communities,” he said.

Kher’s latest directorial venture, Tanvi the Great, inspired by his autistic niece, will also be screened under NIFFA’s “Able + Diverse” segment, which highlights disability and representation in cinema.

The festival will travel across major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, as well as regional centres such as Broken Hill and Alice Springs.

Filmmakers Anubhav Sinha and Leena Yadav will receive the Nishtha (Dedication) Award for their contributions to cinema.

A special segment on Punjabi cinema, organised in partnership with PTC Network, will conclude with the announcement of a three-film India–Australia co-production initiative. PTC Network CEO Rajiee Shinde will lead an industry delegation to Australia.

The festival has partnered with several prominent institutions, including the Western Australia Museum Boola Bardip, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the State Library of Western Australia, and the Araluen Arts Centre, with additional support from Dendy Cinemas, Reading Cinemas, and SBS.

Festival Director Anupam Sharma said NIFFA has evolved into a broader platform. “NIFFA is no longer just a festival; it has become a national platform for conversations around cinema, culture, community, and commerce,” he stated.