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

Swati Bhat

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.

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Constructing The International Film Festival of India 2025

The 56th International Film Festival of India in Goa is not just a celebration of world cinema — it’s a clear signal of the government’s serious backing for creative talent. At the heart of this edition are major figures from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who chairs the IFFI steering committee, and I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju, both of whom have emphasized a “Convergence of Creativity & Technology” as this year’s guiding theme.

The International Film Festival of India 2025 is being organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), now more directly responsible for the festival after absorbing several film units. At the July 2025 steering committee meeting, Prakash Magdum, the Managing Director of NFDC, joined hands with Mr. Vaishnaw and Mr. Jaju to plan an expansive line-up, new outreach initiatives, and an inclusive vision for young creators.

In a striking move, IFFI has introduced India’s first AI Film Festival & Hackathon, under the aegis of NFDC and supported by the Ministry. This gives filmmakers and technologists a unique platform to explore AI-driven storytelling, with veteran festival director Shekhar Kapur himself heading the jury.

FTII (Film & Television Institute of India)  another institution under the I&B Ministry is also contributing to IFFI 2025’s spirit of learning. According to recent reports, FTII faculty will lead a Film Appreciation course in Goa during the festival, helping journalists and delegates deepen their understanding of cinema. The involvement of FTII underscores how education and policy are converging within the Ministry’s broader push for creative excellence.

Moreover, Press Information Bureau (PIB) leadership is closely connected: the media accreditation office has highlighted the role of PIB in facilitating IFFI’s press coverage, underlining the institutional seriousness behind the glitz.

All in all, IFFI 2025 feels like much more than just a film festival it’s a strategic, state-supported effort to bridge cinema, technology, and talent.

India Showcases Global Ambition with WAVES Bazaar Pavilion at Busan Film Festival 2025

Swati Bhat

Busan, South Korea –September 20,2025

India strengthened its global creative footprint at the Busan Film Festival 2025 with the inauguration of the WAVES Bazaar Pavilion, a dedicated space designed to connect Indian creators with international markets. Dignitaries at the event emphasized India’s growing influence in the global content economy and the pavilion’s role as a bridge between Indian storytelling and global audiences.

The WAVES Bazaar Pavilion serves as a dynamic platform for showcasing Indian films, digital content, and original stories to international buyers and distributors. It will also host B2B meetings between Indian and foreign producers, distributors, and content platforms, fostering new collaborations in global entertainment.

A major highlight of the pavilion is its focus on emerging creative industries such as animation, VFX, gaming, and immersive storytelling, aligning with India’s ambition to lead in new-age media innovation.

“WAVES Bazaar embodies India’s creative vision and its commitment to global collaboration,” noted one of the dignitaries at the Busan Film Festival.

The launch marks a significant milestone in India’s active participation in international film markets, further strengthening its position as a global hub for creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange.