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The Communiqué News

The INOX venue buzzed with the energy of India's folk traditions. Artists from across the nation, showcased by the Central Bureau of Communication's troupes, captivated audiences with traditional dances, regional songs, and vibrant storytelling, celebrating India's heart and heritage.

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The Thadiya folk dance and song from Garhwal, Uttarakhand, brings the Himalayan spirit to IFFI 2025, performed soulfully by CBC PRTs.

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The CBC PRTs' performance of Assam's captivating Bhortal dance enthrals the audience at IFFI 2025.

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The vibrant Sambalpuri folk dance of Odisha highlights the state's rich rhythmic heritage.

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Jajhiya folk dance performance from the Mithila region of Bihar by CBC PRTs at IFFI 2025

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The SINHTOO DANCE of the Hatti Tribe in Sirmour District, Himachal Pradesh, vibrantly showcases tribal culture and energy.

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The Gussadi-Tribal dance of Telangana captivates with its intricate steps, traditional attire, and raw cultural energy.

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A lively Dogri dance from Jammu showcases the region's cultural melodies and joyful spirit at IFFI 2025.

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A beautiful Raas Folk Dance by People's Action for Social Development, Daman and Diu, celebrating unity through rhythm.

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The spectacular Addukke Karagattam, a traditional Tamil Nadu folk dance requiring immense skill and grace, thrills the IFFI 2025 audience.





Swati Bhat

Exclusive: Melbourne Lord Mayor Unveils "My Melbourne 2" at IFFI 2025, Goa.
Nick Reece, Lord Mayor of Melbourne

IFFI Premises, Goa: In a dynamic celebration of Indo-Australian cinema and cultural exchange, Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Nick Reece made a major exclusive announcement during an interaction with our Chief Editor Ms. Swati Bhat. Reece revealed that his dream project, "My Melbourne 2", is officially underway. "My Melbourne 2" is a sequel to the Indo-Australian anthology film "My Melbourne," with prominent Indian filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani, Shoojit Sircar, Anjali Menon, and Onir set to produce it.

Speaking to The Communiqué News, Reece expressed his enthusiasm at being part of the IFFI 2025. “It’s so exciting. Of course, everybody knows Delhi is the capital of India, but Melbourne is the Indian capital of Australia,” he said, praising Melbourne’s strong connection with its vibrant Indian diaspora.

Indian Cinema’s Unprecedented Rise in Australia-

Reece highlighted the rapidly growing popularity of Indian films in Australia. He revealed that Indian cinema now ranks as the third-highest box office performer in the country, behind only the USA and England.

“This makes Australia the first English-speaking nation where Indian film has reached at such a high position,” he explained. “It’s wonderful to see so many people enjoying Indian movies. We absolutely love it.”

A major contributor to this success is the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) the world’s largest Indian film festival held outside India.

"My Melbourne": A Cross-Cultural Success Story

The Lord Mayor’s visit marked the launch of the Indian premiere of My Melbourne, an award-winning film created by leading Indian filmmakers in Australia. The film has received critical acclaim and won multiple awards across international circuits.

“We’re here launching the Indian premiere of My Melbourne,” Reece said. “It has been very successful in Australia and has won many awards.” Exclusive: My Melbourne 2 Revealed to The Communiqué News.

During an exclusive conversation with our Chief Editor Ms. Swati Bhat, This exclusive announcement was made only to The Communiqué News, underscoring Melbourne’s commitment to strengthening its cultural partnerships with India. “The first one has been such a great success, and we’re excited to take the story forward.” The sequel promises to deepen Indian-Australian storytelling and celebrate the multicultural spirit of Melbourne. A Warm Bollywood Welcome

Describing his experience at the festival, Nick Reece said, “The color, the energy of Bollywood is like nothing else. I just sit here marveling at it.”

With heartfelt appreciation for India, he concluded his address with: “Jai Hind, Jai Australia.” with a positive laugh.






WAVES Bazaar serves as a specialized platform for businesses to present their products and services, seek collaborative opportunities, and form new partnerships.

Swati Bhat

WAVES Bazaar Elevates Indian Women Filmmakers at TIFF

Under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's flagship international markets platform, WAVES Bazaar, six Indian filmmakers leading women-centric projects represented the country at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, held last month. This initiative, led by Women in Film (WIF) India and supported by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), marked a significant milestone in showcasing the creativity and vision of Indian women filmmakers on a global stage. The filmmakers—Arshaly Jose, Deepa Bhatia, Katyayani Kumar, Madhumita Sundararaman, Paromita Dhar, and Pramati Anand—were selected from over 200 entries following a week-long nationwide call.

Ministry officials described this development as a defining moment for India’s film industry and creative community. "For the first time, six Indian filmmakers leading women-centric projects represented the country at one of the world’s most influential film forums. The delegation highlighted regional, rooted, and real stories from Kerala and Manipur to Maharashtra and Delhi, demonstrating that India’s creative diversity knows no boundaries," stated ministry officials. The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) is an event focused on establishing India as a key hub for the media and entertainment industry. The inaugural event took place in Mumbai in May. WAVES Bazaar is a dedicated platform for companies to showcase their products and services, explore collaborations, and establish new partnerships.

Supported by WAVES Bazaar’s expansive ecosystem, these filmmakers gained access to mentorship, international markets, and industry exposure once reserved for seasoned global creators. Over the past year, WAVES Bazaar has evolved into a crucial bridge between Indian content creators and international studios, facilitating co-productions, global distribution deals, and strategic collaborations across continents, officials noted. WIF India Founder and Academy Award-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor described the collaboration as "a dream realized." "Exposure is at the heart of all growth. Through WIF India and WAVES Bazaar, we are building pathways for women to take their stories to the world," she stated. "We are taking our initial steps, building this institution piece by piece, and now moving it forward." For the participants, the TIFF experience was transformative.

Kerala-based filmmaker Arshaly Jose shared, "Pitching to international producers and distributors showed me that my stories could transcend borders. For the first time, I felt I truly belonged." Similarly, Deepa Bhatia reflected, "It was the thoughtful details from mentorship to wellbeing that made this experience special. WIF and WAVES are clearly shaking up the industry." With cumulative deals exceeding Rs 800 crores across film, animation, and music, and structured programs like Co-Production Labs and Screenwriters’ Forums, WAVES Bazaar is redefining how India engages with the world creatively.




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