Sydney, September 29 (Indian Abroad Newsdesk)
The Indian Film Festival of Sydney is set for a grand comeback this October, bringing three days of rich cinematic storytelling from 9–11 October 2025. Organised by Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM, the creative force behind the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, the Sydney edition will open with ‘Full Plate’, written and directed by acclaimed actor-filmmaker Tannishtha Chatterjee, and produced by Ashutosh Goswami and Anup Chitnis.
Starring Kirti Kulhari in the lead role alongside Sharib Hashmi, Monica Dogra, and Indraneil Sengupta, Full Plate tells the story of a Muslim homemaker in Mumbai whose life changes when her husband’s accident compels her to start earning, sparking both his insecurities and her personal transformation. The film recently secured a slot for its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival 2025.
Reflecting on the honour of opening the festival, Chatterjee said, “In the middle of one of the hardest chapters of my life, it meant everything to know that stories still matter. When Mitu asked me to open the Indian Film Festival of Sydney with Full Plate, I felt both humbled and profoundly grateful. This film was born out of struggle, grit and hope, and sharing it with the Sydney audience feels like bringing the journey full circle.”
Festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM praised the choice of the opening film, saying,“There is something deeply resonant about opening with Full Plate. Tannishtha’s courage, her determination to tell this story despite overwhelming odds, reflects exactly why Indian cinema matters—because it does more than entertain, it reveals, it heals, it challenges. We are honoured to welcome Sydney audiences back with this film and with three days of cinema that probe, celebrate and uplift.”
Across its three days, the festival will screen more than 15 films from India and the Indian diaspora, spanning multiple languages and genres. The program will include independent voices, feature films, shorts, and documentaries, along with panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and conversations with filmmakers, giving audiences the chance to engage directly with the art and its creators.