Geelong will step into the spotlight this month to host a special celebration of Indian cinema.
The regional event will officially launch the National Indian Film Festival of Australia (NIFFA) 2026 program and is part of the REEL Film Festival, presented by Geelong Waterfront Film Foundation.
It will immediately follow the Geelong-India Collaborative Futures Forum – a three-day showcase of the city as a great place to live, learn and do business.
The festival rolls out the red carpet for a gala event at Reading Cinemas Waurn Ponds on Wednesday 18 March, with Indian film screenings running for five days.
Supported by a City of Greater Geelong Community Events Quick Response Grant, the program also includes a Bollywood Dance Party on Saturday 21 March.
The focus on film comes after the recent launch of the Geelong Film Industry Growth and Investment Strategy, which aims to attract major screen productions and grow the region's creative economy.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM is hosting the opening night gala event.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
Geelong has the talent, locations and industry support to grow a strong film and screen sector.
Events like this connect our creative community with international partners and help showcase the region to new audiences.
NIFFA is expanding into regional centres including Geelong in 2026 after debuting in metropolitan cities last year.
Public screenings will feature films in more than 18 languages – including Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and Malayalam – with English subtitles.
Film maker and festival director Anupam Sharma said film helps foster understanding and connection between cultures, reflecting on his long-standing work introducing Bollywood productions to Victoria, including Geelong and regional communities, since 1998.
Film maker and NIFFA director Anupam Sharma
Bringing the festival to Geelong brings back old and fond memories of filming some of the first Bollywood films in the region.
The new co-production treaty and growing Indian diaspora is creating more India-centric Australian films, which allows us to connect with new audiences while also exploring opportunities for creative exchange.
Geelong Waterfront Film Foundation executive Belinda Lyle
Geelong is already a highly creative and artistic city and it's undergoing an arts transformation that can be complemented by a strong film culture.
Events like this help attract global interest, welcome fresh ideas and invite new audiences, which are all important steps in positioning Geelong as a genuine screen hub.
Mr Sharma will also deliver a keynote address at the Geelong-India Collaborative Futures Forum exploring opportunities for co-production, development and distribution.
The forum, delivered in partnership with the Australia India Business Council, runs from 16–18 March and follows the Geelong India Business Roundtable in June and a Memorandum of Understanding signed in August.
More information about NIFFA in Geelong in on the Geelong Waterfront Film website .
