The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) announced its winners for 2026, bringing together a wide range of films, performances and storytellers from India and across the subcontinent. This year’s awards recognised established stars as well as independent filmmakers, emerging voices and stories that explore different sides of Indian cinema. Among the biggest names to receive honours were Rishab Shetty, Dulquer Salmaan, Kirti Kulhari, Vijay Varma and Rasika Dugal. The festival also recognised veteran actor Rekha with the Excellence in Cinema award, while Rani Mukerji was honoured for completing 30 years in the industry.IFFM 2026 winners: Rishab Shetty, Dulquer Salmaan, Kirti Kulhari and more take top honours.[Also read: Rani Mukerji honoured for 3 decades in cinema: ‘My films, my characters and my voice have travelled so far from home’]IFFM 2026 full winner list Best Film: Lokah Chapter 1: ChandraBest Film - Special Mention: The Great Shamshuddin FamilyBest Indie Film - Not a Hero - Rima DasSpecial Mention - Indie Film: Kikkran De Phull (Flowers of Acacia)Best Director: Rishab Shetty - Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1Best Actor: Dulquer Salmaan - KaanthaBest Actress: Kirti Kulhari - Full PlateBest Film from the Subcontinent: No Good Men - Shahrbanoo SadatBest Documentary Film: Flying Tigers - Madhushree DuttaPeople’s Choice Award: SaiyaaraEquality in Cinema Award, presented by La Trobe: Sitaare Zameen ParSpecial Mention - Equality in Cinema: Simran Mangeshkar - Sitaare Zameen ParRainbow Storyteller Award: Lala and PoppyShort Film Competition (Australia): The Weight of Soil⁠Short Film Competition (India): Jo’s TurnBest Actor (Series): Vijay Varma - Matka KingBest Actress (Series): Rasika Dugal - Delhi Crime 3Best Series: Freedom At Midnight, Season 2Artist of Distinction: Pankaj TripathiSpecial Recognition: 30 Years of Rani MukerjiLeadership in Cinema: Rishab ShettyExcellence in Cinema: RekhaAbout Indian Film Festival of MelbourneOne of the prominent film festivals that showcase Indian movies outside of India is the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). This film festival brings together films from all over India and even from other parts of the sub-continent. It also places a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equality in storytelling, recognising voices and stories that represent different communities and experiences.This year, the festival also highlighted how far Indian storytelling was making its way to foreign audiences. The diversity of this year’s award-winning work spanned from theatrical films to mainstream streaming television series, as well as independent films and documentaries.